Unstable conditions are expected on steep slopes at the mid and upper elevations. Strong winds will be increasing the hazard and creating fresh wind slabs. These slabs will form upon weak layers of faceted snow and hard crusts. They are expected to be very sensitive to human triggers and to gain enough volume to injure or bury a person. Look for obvious signs of instability like shooting cracks and avalanche activity. Monitor the intensity of today's snow and wind and make terrain selection choices that are appropriate for today's hazards.
At the mid and upper elevations wind slabs formed by strong southwest winds are likely to be easily triggered on steep slopes. These sensitive slabs will gain depth and volume during the day and are expected to be 12 to 18 inches deep.
By morning, summit temperatures are to drop to near zero and winds are to become northeasterly. During the day wind speeds of ten to fifteen miles per hour are expected with highs in the teens. Skies are to be partly to mostly clear. The avalanche hazard in the Tetons will be Moderate above 9000 feet where pockets of soft slab with depths to eighteen inches can be triggered in wind loaded terrain features. Below that elevation, isolated pockets of shallow slab could be triggered to 7500 feet. Avalanches are not likely below 7500 feet due to a lack of new snowfall but note that although the snowpack is thin at low elevations, surface hoar over a crust is also prevalent for future loading concerns. Similar conditions exist in the Togwotee Pass and Southwest trails areas, however the rating will be lower due to less snowfall and therefore smaller slab development occurring over the last 24 hours.
