Tetons

At the mid and upper elevations southwest winds have formed pockets of soft surface slab up to 16 inches deep on leeward aspects. These shallow slabs lie upon firm old snow surfaces and could be triggered by humans who venture into steep wind loaded avalanche starting zones and cliff areas. At the lower elevations above freezing temperatures and recent rainfall have created unstable conditions. Wet slides have been observed on steep slopes and could occur today on steep banks, road cuts and in active avalanche paths. The potential for wet slides to release will increase as the day progresses.

A moist southwest flow will bring snow to the higher elevations after midnight. A couple of inches of accumulation are possible by daybreak. On Friday skies will be cloudy with light snowfall in the mountains and rain in the valleys. This flow will favor the Teton Range which could pick up another couple of inches of new snow by evening. Temperatures will remain above freezing at the lower elevations. At the upper elevations temperatures will drop into the mid 20s overnight and rise into the 30s during the day. Ridge crest winds will be southwesterly at 20 to 25 miles per hour with higher gusts.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE. At the lower elevations conditions will be unstable and conducive for wet slides to occur on steep snow covered slopes. At the mid and upper elevations areas of unstable snow exist. Humans could triggered shallow pockets of surface slab up to a foot deep in some upper elevation starting zones and may have the potential to trigger slabs to three feet in depths in areas where buried layers of faceted snow persist.