Strong winds have created dangerous avalanche conditions at the mid and upper elevations. Twenty to 40 inches of new snow have fallen since Sunday with the higher totals occurring on the west slope of the Teton Range. Slab avalanches could be human triggered and may have potential to release naturally. Human interaction with these avalanches is likely to have severe consequences.
Strong northwest winds have created wind slabs two to four feet in depth at the mid and upper elevations and pockets of wind slab up to 18 inches deep in some lower elevation avalanche starting zones. These slabs lie upon slick old surfaces and weak layers of faceted snow. They could be triggered by the weight a single person and that may not necessarily be the first person on a suspect slope.
Another fast approaching system is to bring snow to Western Wyoming through Friday morning before decreasing to flurries. Some areas could see as much as five to ten inches of accumulation. West winds are to have averages near twenty miles per hour overnight before decreasing slightly as they become northwesterly during the day on Friday. Mountain temperatures are to start in the teens and rise into the mid twenties.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Considerable. Existing hard and soft wind slabs that lie in the backcountry will continue to be susceptible to human triggers. New snow and wind are likely to make those slabs more sensitive as the day progresses. The new snow may also be sensitive on its own in the form of sluffs or shallow soft slabs in very steep terrain.
