Areas of unstable snow exist in steep terrain at the mid and upper elevations. Yesterday a skier triggered a slab avalanche south of the boundary of the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. This skier was carried a long distance, buried except for a portion of her helmet and injured. Another skier was caught, carried and injured after triggering a slab avalanche south of the boundary of the resort on Monday. Either of these events could have been fatal. Slab avalanches were also triggered yesterday on Mt. Glory and in Hanging Canyon in Grand Teton National Park. Similar events are possible today. Careful snowpack and terrain evaluation is essential today for safe backcountry travel. Avalanches are unlikely at the lower elevations except on isolated terrain features.
At the mid and upper elevations humans can trigger slab avalanches that are 1 to 3 feet in depth on persistent weak layers of faceted snow.
On Friday we will experience a brief break between storms. Clouds will diminish overnight. Skies will be mostly sunny during the day. Temperatures will be cold with overnight lows near zero in most locations. Some spots will be well below zero. Daytime highs will be in the single digits and teens. Winds will be from the north at 5 to 15 miles per hour.There is lots of good riding and skiing to be had on lower angle terrain. At the mid and upper elevations areas of unstable snow still persist on some steep slopes that frequently avalanche. Steep rocky chutes, couloirs and terrain with consequences are places for serious accidents. The general avalanche is moderate at the mid and upper elevations. Avalanches are unlikely below an elevation of 7,500 feet where the general avalanche hazard is low.
