Tetons

Rising temperatures and sunshine will increase the hazard as the day progresses. At the upper elevations pockets of slab up to 30 inches deep persist in very steep avalanche starting zones and will become more sensitive to human triggers as the day warms. The potential for cornice failures and shallow wet slides on steep sunlit slopes will also increase as temperatures rise. The snowpack is mostly stable at the mid and lower elevations however wet slides are possible on very steep slopes and road cuts.

An approaching storm system and associated cold front will move into the area this evening. Snow showers are likely in the mountains early this evening and could initially be accompanied by lightning. New snow accumulations of three to six inches are expected overnight with higher amounts possible in favored areas. On Thursday there will be periods of light snowfall in the morning and slowly clearing skies with scattered snow showers in the afternoon. Temperatures will be colder with daytime high rising into the 20s in the mountains and into the 30s in the valleys. Winds will veer towards the west, increase overnight and slowly diminish during the day.New pockets of soft surface slab six to 18 inches deep are expected to form on leeward aspects along the higher ridge crests. These slabs will lie upon hard old snow surfaces and are expected to be easily triggered by humans who venture into steep avalanche starting zones and cliff areas with fresh deposits of wind-blown snow. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE at the higher elevations (9,000 to 10,500 feet) and LOW below an elevation of 9,000 feet.