Tetons

Unstable soft surface slabs up to two feet in depth exist at the mid and upper elevations. These slabs were formed by southwest to northwest winds and have received additional loading from west-northwest winds in the past 24 hours. Limited observations indicate these slabs have occured on east through south aspects and have run on a buried melt-freeze crust. Users venturing into steep wind loaded avalanche starting zones could trigger these slabs today. Below 8,000 feet the snowpack is shallow and avalanches are unlikely.

A weak disturbance from the northwest will stay mostly east of the Continental Divide but this area will catch the fringe and receive 1 to 2 inches of light snow overnight. Thursday will be drier and winds will veer to the northwest at 20 to 25 mph. Highs will be in the mid twenties. AVALANCHE HAZARD FOR THE TETON, TOGWOTEE PASS/CONTINENTAL DIVIDE AND GREYS RIVER/SOUTHWEST TRAILS AREASThe general avalanche hazard for Thursday is expected to remain MODERATE above 8,000 feet. Areas of instability remain. Surface slabs up to two feet in depth formed by southwest to northwest winds could be human triggered on steep wind loaded aspects. The sensitivity of these slabs to humans triggers is likely to increase as daytime temperatures warm. Recent slides have run on the smooth melt-freeze crust on generally southern to eastern exposures from the last dry period.Use caution and avoid steep wind loaded avalanche prone slopes, cliff areas and terrain traps. Below 8,000 feet the snowpack is shallow and avalanches are unlikely.