Tetons

An avalanche warning issued by the Bridger-Teton National Forest Avalanche Center has been downgraded to a watch. Dangerous unstable slabs up to five feet in depth exist. These slabs are likely to be easily triggered by humans and could release naturally. Yesterday over 50 avalanches were triggered in un-skied areas of the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort by the ski patrol. Most were explosive triggered but many released from ski cuts and some were sympathetically triggered. Yesterday late afternoon and early evening another six inches of dense snow with about an inch of moisture fell above 7,500 feet. This additional load and today's new snow will pro-long the existing instability.

Temperatures in the mountains are forecasted to drop into the single digits on Friday night and rise into the low teens on Saturday. Westerly winds are projected to decrease to 20 to 25 mph and veer to the Northwest on Saturday. An upper level low is expected to move in behind the cold front to the south of the region, producing up to 4 inches of light density snow overnight in the Tetons, and 5 to 10 inches in the southern half of the Salt and Wyoming ranges.An Avalanche Watch has been extended through Sunday. The General Avalanche Hazard is expected to decrease to CONSIDERABLE on Saturday. With falling temperatures, light density snowfall, and declining winds, natural avalanche activity is still possible, but not likely. However, deadly slabs up to 5 feet in depth remain very susceptible to human triggers on a variety of aspects above 7,500 feet. Clearing skies, followed by the first significant snowfall of the season have the potential of luring backcountry travelers into hazardous terrain. Avalanche knowledge, excellent route finding skills, and the ability to resist peer pressure are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain on Saturday.