Tetons

Temperatures are starting out close to five degrees cooler than yesterday morning, and snow surfaces that became damp on Wednesday have frozen. If mostly clear skies persist into the afternoon, very shallow wet loose sluffs involving the recent snowfall could develop on steep, sunlit aspects. In very steep, high elevation terrain where wind drifted snow has accumulated, skiers and riders might also be able to trigger an isolated pocket of shallow surface slab. This hazard is likely elevated above 10,500 feet. Use caution in terrain with high exposure where even small slides can have serious consequences.

The aforementioned low pressure system will intensify snowfall rates in the mountains this evening. Precipitation will continue overnight before beginning to taper off during the day on Friday. Snow levels will start off between 8,000 and 8,500 feet before reaching near the valley floor by the early morning hours. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the low 20s before rising into the upper 20s in the afternoon. Ridgetop winds will veer to the west at 10 to 20 miles per hour.Depending on the amount of snowfall overnight, the general avalanche hazard could rise to MODERATE in the mountains on Friday. At the higher elevations, backcountry travelers could trigger pockets of newly developed shallow wind slab in steep, wind-loaded avalanche terrain. If skies are mostly sunny in the afternoon, the chance for wet slides involving the new snow could develop.