Conditions are dangerous. New snow and west to northwest winds have formed new wind slabs and have further loaded a snowpack with poor snow structure. Large to very large slab persistent slab avalanches and soft surface slabs could be human triggered on steep slopes. Natural releases are possible. Larger avalanches have greater consequences. Expert route selection skills and conservative terrain choices are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain.
Strong winds have formed of new wind slabs on leeward aspects. These slabs are expected to be 1 to 2 feet deep. These soft slabs could be triggered by humans on steep avalanche prone terrain and may release naturally.
On steep avalanche prone slopes large to very large persistent slab avalanches could fail on buried weak layers of faceted snow. These dangerous slabs could be two to four feet deep at the mid and upper elevations and up to two feet deep below an elevation of 7,500 feet. These slabs could be triggered directly by the weight of a single person or indirectly from the release of a wind slab or loose snow slough. Natural releases are possible.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Areas of moderate snowfall will continue this evening before gradually decreasing. Another 6 to 9 inches are possible at the higher elevations of the Teton Range. Other areas and the lower elevations can be expected to receive another 2 to 6 inches. Light snow showers will linger into Thursday with minor accumulations. Temperatures in the mountains will remain in the upper single digits and teens. Winds will veer to the northwest and decrease overnight and are forecast to back towards the southwest and increase in the afternoon.Conditions remain dangerous. In the Teton Range new soft slabs and large loose snow sloughs are likely to be easily triggered by skier and riders and may release naturally. These new slabs could be up to three feet deep at the mid and upper elevations of the Tetons. In other areas and in the lower elevations of the Tetons pockets of new soft slab 6 to 18 inches in depth could be triggered by humans in steep wind loaded avalanche starting zones. In all areas older persistent slab avalanches could be triggered by humans or be triggered by the release of a surface slab. These dangerous slabs lie upon buried persistent weak layers and could be 2 to 4 feet deep in the Greys River and Togwotee Pass areas and 3 to 5 feet deep in the higher elevations of the Teton Range. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be considerable above an elevation of 7,500 feet in all of our forecast zones tomorrow and moderate below that elevation. Expert terrain elevation and snowpack evaluation skills and a conservative approach are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain.
