Today, avalanche conditions above 7,500 feet are very dangerous. Below this elevation, where the avalanche hazard is considerable conditions remain dangerous. The two day snowfall totals have been up to 2 feet with over 1 inch of moisture. During this storm cycle, avalanches have impacted highways on Tetons Pass and in the Snake River Canyon. Very large avalanches are likely and could run full path. These dangerous slides could release naturally or be human triggered. Travel in or below avalanche terrain is not recommended.
Heavy snowfall and strong winds continue to rapidly load steep slopes. These wind slab avalanches could have depths of 2 to 4 feet on a variety of aspects and will favor the upper elevation start zones.
Today's strong winds and new snow are increasing the load on buried weak layers of faceted snow. This loading will be increasing the likelihood for large to very large deep slab avalanches to be human triggered or release naturally on these persistent weak layers. If triggered these dangerous deep slabs could be 3 to 6 feet deep and have the potential to run long distances.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )As the northwest flow continues over the region, pulses of moderate to heavy snowfall will bring another 8 to 20 inches to the mountains by Friday evening. Three to 7 inches are expected at the lower elevations. This snowfall will continue to favor the western portion of our forecasted region. Westerly winds will continue at 25 to 35 with gusts to 50 miles per hour. In the mountains, temperatures will be in the teens overnight and rise into the mid to upper 20s during the day. Valley temperatures will be in the 20’s tonight and are expected to rise into the 30s during the day. Strong winds and new snow have created very dangerous avalanche conditions at the higher elevations. As these stormy conditions continue through the next 24 hours, the avalanche hazard will remain high. Large to very large avalanches with depths 2 to 4 feet in depth are likely to release naturally or be easily triggered by humans. These slides could step down to deeply buried layers of faceted snow with depths from 4 to 8 feet and could run full path into lower elevation avalanche runout zones. Tomorrow, travel in or below avalanche terrain is not recommended.
