Tetons

At the higher elevations the present snowpack is mostly stable and avalanches are unlikely. Normal caution is advised. Snow depths below an elevation of 8,500 feet are currently insufficient for avalanche concerns. Warm temperatures and sunshine have created sun crusts, and cold clear nights have fostered surface hoar growth. Faceting processes have been active in the snowpack since the end of the last storm cycle, 10 days ago. Present snow surfaces are expected to become persistent weak layers and sliding surfaces during the next storm cycle. A Winter Storm Watch for the period from late Thursday night through Saturday morning has been issued by the National Weather Service.

Dry conditions will prevail for much of the night before moisture overspreads the region early tomorrow morning. Snowfall rates are to increase during the day with new snow accumulations of 4 to 8 inches possible by early Friday morning. Temperatures will be in the teens and 20s in the mountains and rise into the 30s in the valleys. Southwest winds will increase to 20 with gusts to 35 miles per hour by sunset.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be LOW in the morning and will be increasing during the day. At the higher elevations small pockets of wind slab will begin to build and could be 6 to 18 inches deep by the end of the day. These slabs will be forming on weak, non-cohesive snow surfaces and crusts and are likely to be sensitive to human triggers. Monitor conditions and adjust travel plans if sustained periods of rapid loading occur.