Tetons

New snow and strong winds Tuesday and Tuesday night have created easily triggered slabs on lee and cross loaded slopes to over a foot in depth. The new snow sits on weak, faceted surfaces from the Thanksgivng dry spell. Under the facets is light density snow over firm, dense snow that will make a good running surface for new slides. Getting caught even in a small slide could have serious consequences from terrain hazards not covered by the early season snow depths. A shallow snowpack below 8000 feet quickly transitions to nearly bare ground in the valley, and avalanches are unlikely.

Snow is expected tonight through Thursday with temperatures holding in the single digits to low teens. The upper elevations of the Tetons could receive up to 10" with the Togwotee and Southwest areas expecting slightly less. The snow is to be accompanied by West to Southwest winds at 20-30mph.The General Avalanche Hazard is expected to remain Considerable at the higher elevations if expected snowfall and winds do occur. In the morning, slabs to 18" could be triggered on the faceted layer on wind loaded slopes on a variety of aspects. The sensitivity and size of these slabs will increase if snow continues to fall throughout the day.