Tetons

Strong west to southwest winds along the higher ridge lines continue to load leeward aspects. Humans who venture into upper elevation avalanche starting zones could trigger surface slabs up to two feet in depth. Isolated hard slabs up to four feet deep could be triggered in cliff areas and beneath cornices. At the mid elevations isolated pockets of surface slab up to 18 inches deep could be human triggered in extreme terrain. Avalanches are unlikely at the lower elevations.

A winter storm watch has been issued by the National Weather Service for Friday and Friday Night. A moist zonal flow will bring increasing snowfall overnight that will continue to intensify through Friday night. Accumulations of four inches are expected by morning with another eight inches during the day. Strong west winds at 25 to 40 with gusts to 50 miles per hour will accompany the snowfall. Temperatures will be in the 20s.The new snow and strong winds will combine to increase the general avalanche hazard to at least CONSIDERABLE and create dangerous avalanche conditions. New surface slabs up to two feet in depth are likely to be easily triggered by humans and may release naturally on avalanche prone slopes. Excellent terrain evaluation skills, cautious route finding and conservative terrain decisions will be essential for safe travel in the mountains.