The general avalanche hazard is MODERATE above an elevation of 8,000 feet and LOW below that elevation. About 14 inches of new snow has fallen since Thursday at noon. Temperatures warmed during the storm and created an upside down storm snow density profile. This new snow fell upon older snow that was subjected to three days of bitter cold temperatures that caused those old snow crystals to facet and weaken. Strong southwest wind accompanied this snowfall.
At the higher elevations southwest winds have created pockets of wind slab up to two feet in depth. These slabs could be triggered by the weight of a single person and are most likely to be triggered on steep northerly aspects above an elevation of 9,000 feet. Steep, wind loaded, active avalanche starting zones on other aspects above an elevation of 8,000 feet are also suspect.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Periods of moderate to heavy snowfall are likely overnight as a cold front passes through the area. Additional accumulations of four to eight inches are possible. Skies will slowly clear on Saturday as colder and dryer air moves in behind the passing front. Temperatures will drop into the single digits. Winds will veer to the northwest and decrease to 5 to 15 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard at the upper elevations will be CONSIDERABLE at the upper elevations of the Teton Range. It will be MODERATE in the Continental Divide/Togwotee Pass area, in the Greys River/Southwest Trails area and at the mid elevations in the Teton area. The hazard is expected to be LOW in all areas at the lower elevations. Human triggered slab avalanches one to two feet in depth could be human triggered, especially on steep northerly aspects above an elevation of 9,000 feet. Caution is advised.
