Tetons

The General Avalanche Hazard is MODERATE at the Mid and Upper elevations and LOW at the Lower elevations. Two avalanche concerns remain. First, backcountry travelers could release isolated pockets of surface slabs 6 to 12 inches in depth on steep, wind loaded slopes near higher ridgecrests. Second, buried weak layers of faceted snow continue to lurk in steep, rocky areas with a shallow snowpack. Substantial triggers, such as snowmobiles or large groups are more likely to initiate these larger hard slides. Yesterday a three foot deep hard slab avlalanche 25 yards wide released behind a snowmobile traversing(not high marking)a northeast facing slope in the Man Bowl area of the Snake River Range. The small bowl had eight old tracks and one new track before it released. The consequences of being caught in one of these deep slides could be severe. Avalanches are unlikely in the shallow snowpack at the lower elevations.

A srong jet will move across the region bringing westerly ridgetop winds of 35 to 40 miles per hour with gusts to 65. Light morning snowfall will increase in the evening as a strong winter storm moves in. 9500 foot temperatures will rise into the upper twenties. The General Avalanche Hazard is expected to remain MODERATE across the region due to the unpredictable and serious hard slab avalanche potential.