At the higher elevations, backcountry skiers and riders could trigger surface slabs in steep, wind-loaded avalanche starting zones and cliff areas. The new snow will be increasing the size and extent of these surface slabs as the day progresses. Loose snow sloughs are possible in steep terrain where the wind has not formed slabs. Monitor conditions for increasing hazard and adjust plans accordingly. Very large persistent deep slabs are still a potential threat in terrain above 9,000 feet, especially for larger triggers like snow machines.
At the upper elevations and in isolated areas at the mid elevations, areas of surface slab formed by southwest to northeast winds could be human triggered, with depths to two feet, in steep wind loaded avalanche starting zones and cliff areas.
Persistent deep slabs remain a concern in avalanche prone terrain above an elevation of 9,000 feet that faces east through north to west. Although the likelihood of triggering one of these dangerous deep slabs is low, the consequences would likely be fatal. The release of one of these destructive slab avalanches is more likely with larger triggers, such as snowmobiles or cornice drops. Previous tracks are not an indication of stability. These deep slab avalanches could exceed six feet in depth.
As the storm track is pushed further south, snow will end overnight. By morning skies will be mostly clear to clear and temperatures will drop further as the cold front takes over. Morning temperatures are to be near minus twenty Fahrenheit in the valleys and minus ten at higher elevations. As daily warming occurs, highs near ten are expected at all elevations. Winds will vary from the north to east with ten to fifteen mile per hour averages during the day. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable in the Southwest Trails/Greys River area. In the Teton and Togwotee Pass areas it will be Moderate above 9000 feet and Low below that elevation. Soft wind slabs will exist in all areas but be most sensitive and larger in the southern zone with depths that could exceed two feet. Very large avalanches involving the deep persistent weak layer near the base of the snowpack on high northerly aspects could still be human triggered in all areas. The chance of doing so is more likely in the generally weaker snowpack on Togwotee Pass area and in Southwest Trails area where slopes have just been rapidly loaded. An event involving this layer is unlikely in Tetons but could still occur in isolated areas.
