New snow and southwest winds continue to add load to a snowpack underlain with persistent weak layers. At the mid and high elevations, human triggered avalanches are likely. These slides could carry serious consequences, especially as they are often breaking near the ground and could carry a victim through rocky terrain. Collapses and cracking are indications of instability and should be an alarm to avoid steep slopes. In steep terrain loose snow sloughs and isolated pockets of soft wind slab, up to a foot in depth, are also a concern. Avalanches are unlikely at the lower elevations.
Persistent slabs up to three feet in depth lie upon a base of weak, faceted snow on a variety of aspects. These slabs could be triggered by the weight of a single person. Yesterday a skier triggered a slab with a two foot crown on steep southeast facing terrain. These slabs will become more susceptible to failure as they are further loaded by wind and snow today.
Expect mostly dry conditions overnight and into Saturday before the chance for new snow increases late in the day. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the mid-teens before rising into the mid-20s in the afternoon. Southwesterly ridgetop winds will range from 20 to 30 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be CONSIDERABLE on Saturday. Backcountry travelers venturing into steep avalanche terrain could trigger slab avalanches on a variety of aspects. These slides could be up to three feet deep in the Tetons and reach depths of two feet in the Greys River and Togwotee Pass areas.
