Tetons

The snow that fell earlier in the week continues to settle and gain stability. At the mid and upper elevations pockets of wind slab one to two feet deep lie upon older hard slabs up to four feet in depth that lie upon hard crusts. These pockets of surface slab could be triggered by a single person who ventures into steep avalanche starting zones, cliff areas or terrain traps. A larger trigger, such as a group of people or a snowmachine, or a weak shallow spot crossed by a single skier may be necessary to initiate the failure of a deep hard slab. Avalanches are unlikely at the lower elevations.

Moisture will increase as a trough moves in from the Pacific. On Saturday skies will be overcast with mountain snow showers developing into widespread light snowfall and increasing in intensity by evening. Temperatures at 9,000 feet will be in the teens to 20s. Winds will be southwesterly at 20 to 25 miles per hour along the highest ridge crests.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE between the elevations of 8,500 to 10,500 feet. Pockets of surface slab up to two feet in depth lie upon older hard slabs up to three feet deep. Humans who venture into very steep avalanche starting zones or cliff areas could trigger the surface slabs. Larger triggers such as snowmachines or cornice drops may be necessary to trigger the deeper hard slabs. Avalanches are unlikely below an elevation of 8,500 feet.