Tetons

Temperatures have steadily increased since Tuesday morning while six inches of snow fell at the higher elevations. At the mid and high elevations, backcountry travelers have the potential to trigger recently formed soft slabs in steep wind loaded avalanche terrain. During the morning these shallow slabs may be up to ten inches in depth but are expected to increase in size and sensitivity this afternoon as the new storm arrives.

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect through Friday morning. Heavy snow overnight is to taper off Friday afternoon. High temperatures in the mountains are to reach the low twenties and winds are to be southwesterly with averages near thirty miles per hour. The general avalanche hazard on Friday is expected to be Considerable and may possibly increase to High depending on the actual amount of precipitation and wind provided by this storm. Soft slabs that lie upon lighter snow layers and hard snow surfaces are expected to be very sensitive to human triggers and may have depths to two feet. In some areas large loads or triggered surface slabs may cause the release of deeper hard slabs where weak basal layers persist.