This weeks storms brought significant snow to the Tetons. At the mid and particularly the high elevations slabs were formed by strong winds that could be triggered to by backcountry riders and skiers. At low elevations where the storm ended with a period of rain, the snowpack is saturated with moisture making wet slides possible.
Wind formed slabs could be triggered in the backcountry today on a variety of layers within the snowpack. These slabs could be soft or hard with depths of 2-4 feet. Slabs with the greatest depths and size are expected in northerly terrain above 9000 feet. Wind loaded slopes that are either unsupported from below or in very steep rocky terrain are most suspect to failure.
Rain and warm temperatures have resulted in the chance for wet slides at lower elevations. This potential will increase today as further warming occurs. Very steep terrain such as road cuts should be avoided today.
Friday looks to be partly cloudy in the morning with increasing clouds bringing the chance for snow back to the area Friday night. Temperatures are to be slightly cooler but still warm with above freezing high temperatures expected in most mountain locations with the exception of terrain above 10,000 feet. The general avalanche hazard will be Moderate above 9000 feet and low below that elevation. New and recently formed wind slabs could be triggered at high elevations. Currently forming slabs to one foot could be triggered and some potential will remain to trigger larger slabs to three or four feet very steep terrain. At lower elevations avalanches will be unlikely except for in isolated pockets and the possibility for small wet slides could develop as conditions warm.
