Dangerous avalanche conditions exist. Over the past three days, two feet of new snow containing around three inches of water has fallen in the Tetons. Southwesterly to westerly ridgetop winds have accompanied this snowfall creating dense surface slabs. Yesterday, backcountry travelers triggered numerous shallow slides; two skiers were caught, carried but not buried or injured in two separate events. Skiers and riders are likely to trigger large to very large slides in steep, avalanche-prone terrain, and natural activity is possible. Some potential may remain for these slabs to step down to a buried layer of surface hoar which formed in mid-January.
Recently formed surface slabs lie upon slick sun crusts and faceted snow. Temperatures warmed and densities increased over the past three days creating upside-down conditions. At the mid and upper elevations backcountry travelers are likely to trigger these slabs to depths of one to three feet. At the lower elevations similar slides are possible, but with depths of six to 18 inches.
Moist, northwest flow aloft will continue to bring light snowfall to the region overnight before high pressure begins to build into the area, and cloud cover decreases during the day. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the low 20s before rising into the mid-30s in the afternoon. Westerly ridgetop winds will range from 20 to 25 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be CONSIDERABLE on Thursday. Skiers and riders could trigger recently developed surfaces slabs one to three feet deep in steep, avalanche-prone terrain. As the day warms, these slabs will become more susceptible to failure, particularly on southerly aspects if extended periods of sunshine occur.
