At the upper elevations, isolated pockets of persistent slab could be triggered by backcountry travels venturing into steep avalanche prone terrain. Yesterday, two slides occurred on the west slope of the Tetons near Grand Targhee Resort on northeasterly aspects around 9,500 feet, one of which was remotely triggered. For more information see the avalanche events map on this website. Avalanches are unlikely at the mid elevations where snow depths are around a foot deep. Very little snow exists at the lower elevations.
Pockets of persistent slab, up to 18 inches deep, lie upon firm melt-freeze crusts formed in October. In some areas, surface hoar developed on these crusts prior to being buried. These slabs could be triggered by backcountry travelers in steep, northerly avalanche terrain at the upper elevations.
Southwesterly flow will continue to bring light snow showers to the region Friday night and into Saturday. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the low to mid 20s before rising to near 30 on Saturday. Southwesterly ridgetop winds will range from 15 to 25 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to remain low on Saturday. Backcountry travelers venturing into steep, avalanche terrain could trigger isolated pockets of persistent slab up to 18 inches in depth in areas where the October snowpack endured, primarily on high elevation, northerly slopes.
