Tetons

At the mid and upper elevations slabs up to several feet deep exist. Single skiers continue to trigger these slabs on steep northerly aspects. These slabs have failed on a persistant buried weak layer of faceted snow and are most unstable in steep rocky areas with a shallow snowpack. The slabs may release after the slope has been skied several times when the right trigger point is touched. At low elevations avalanches are unlikely except in isolated pockets.

A blocking high pressure ridge will remain over the area Friday. This high will keep North to Northwest flows over the Western mountains. Weak low pressure troughs will move South in the Northwest flow bringing periods of high level clouds to the West. Temperature inversions will create areas of morning valley fog beneath clear skies. Temperatures will rise to near 15 degrees at the upper elevations.AVALANCHE HAZARD FOR THE TETON, TOGWOTEE PASS/CONTINENTAL DIVIDE AREAS AND GREYS RIVER/SOUTHWEST TRAILS AREAThe general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE at mid and upper elavations (10,500 to 7,500 feet) on Friday. At the mid and upper elevations slabs up to several feet in depth exist.These slabs have failed on a persistent buried weak layer of faceted snow. These slabs may release after the slope has been skied or riden on several times. At the lower elevations (below 7,500 feet) avalanches are unlikely except in isolated pockets. Backcountry users are advised to consult area specific forecasts issued every morning as conditions and resultant hazard can sometimes change overnight due to unexpected weather developments.