Tetons

A foot of new snow and strong south-southwest winds yesterday afternoon and overnight created dangerous, easily triggered, soft slabs to two feet in depth on lee, avalanche-prone slopes and cross-loaded ridges at the Mid and Upper elevations. Natural avalanches are possible, particularly with any sunny periods. In very steep areas at upper elevations it may be possible to pull out deeper, hard slabs. Cautious routefinding and conservative decision-making are essential today. Avalanches are unlikely at the lower elevations with less new snow.

Partly cloudy skies and light winds are expected on Thursday. Temperatures are to be colder with morning temperatures in the negative single digits at all elevations warming to highs in the low teens. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Moderate on Thursday. Riders and skiers will have the potential to trigger soft surface slabs to depths of eighteen inches in steep wind loaded avalanche terrain above 8500 feet. At high elevations near cliffs or where the snowpack is shallow, the potential continues for large loads to trigger deeper hard slabs near the base of the snowpack. The deeper instabilities are most prevalent in the Togwotee Pass area and the Southwest Trails area.