Low hazard does not mean no hazard exists and isolated pockets of wind slabs could be human triggered in very steep avalanche terrain at high elevations. Yesterday a skier was carried a considerable distance when they triggered a wind slab on a south facing slope above an elevation of 11,000 feet in the Tetons. Avalanches are unlikely below 9000 feet today. This will be the final weekend for avalanche advisories for the 2012-2013 season. Snowfall and wind data will still be available by looking at weather station links and weekly summaries will continue to be provided for another month.
Small slabs formed by wind from varying directions over the last week could possibly be triggered today with shallow depths. The slabs are most likely to be found in very steep chutes and in cliff and rocky areas.
Snowfall is to become more widespread this evening and could be heavy at times tonight. Snow is expected at all elevations overnight before becoming a rain and snow mix and dissipating at lower elevations by Saturday afternoon. Accumulations of three to seven inches are expected in the Tetons and Gros Ventres with less accumulation in nearby ranges. Valleys could see an inch or two of snow. Mountain temperatures are to rise to near thirties degrees and winds are to have ten to twenty mile per hour averages from the west. The general avalanche hazard could increase to Moderate if enough new snow falls and combines with wind to form new surface slabs over existing firm snow surfaces. This hazard would most likely be limited to steep wind loaded slopes above 9000 feet. The chance will also continue to trigger isolated pockets of dense wind slab in very steep terrain at these higher elevations.
