Tetons

Backcountry travelers venturing into steep, wind loaded terrain could trigger recently developed shallow pockets of wind slab at the mid and upper elevations. Much greater consequences are associated with persistent deep slab instabilities, and dangerous avalanche conditions continue. Skiers and riders could trigger hard slabs up to six feet deep in avalanche terrain that did not see activity during the last cycle. Given the depth of these slabs, a slope could be crossed numerous times before a trigger point is found and a slide is initiated. Extra caution is advised as these hard slabs are likely to carry dire consequences. At the lower elevations, skiers and riders could trigger pockets of slab up to 18 inches deep in steep, avalanche prone terrain.

A couple of disturbances will bring some new snow to the region during the next two days. The first disturbance is weak and may bring a quick shot of light snow overnight with little real accumulation. The second disturbance is stronger and will move into the area late tomorrow night. On Wednesday skies will be cloudy with periods of light snowfall. Several inches of accumulation are possible. Temperatures will be in single digits at daybreak and rise into the 20s during the day. Winds will be westerly at 15 to 20 miles per hour.It has been several days since any new natural avalanche activity has been reported or observed. That said we believe the potential may persist for the weight of a single person to trigger a medium or large hard slab avalanche with a crown depth to six feet in steep avalanche paths that have not had recent avalanche activity.Snow and winds events continue to intermittently increase the load on existing instabilities and are forecast to continue into Thursday. This loading scenario is extending the duration of the time needed for the snowpack to adjust to the large load placed on it during the recent storm cycle.Due to the potential for a human to be able to trigger a hard slab avalanche of significant size the general avalanche hazard remains CONSIDERABLE in the Teton and Greys River Areas. In the Togwotee Pass Area the slabs are in general somewhat thinner, but still dangerous, and the general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE.