Tetons

The hazard has increased this morning and will continue to increase during the day. At the upper elevations over six inches of dense new snow has rapidly loaded lighter density snow that lies upon slick crusts. More dense new snow and strong west winds will continue to load this unstable, upside down snowpack. Dense slab avalanches 12 to 30 inches deep are likely to be human triggered and could release naturally from steep wind loaded avalanche starting zones. Some of these events could run into the mid elevations. At the lower elevations the potential exits for rain to initiate wet slides on steep slopes and road cuts.

A fast zonal flow will bring a series of short wave troughs from the Pacific into Western Wyoming. Snow is expected to increase in intensity overnight and continue into Sunday Morning. Another six to 12 inches of accumulation is likely at the higher elevations. This snowfall will be accompanied by west winds at speeds of 25 to 30 with gusts to 40 miles per hour. Temperatures at 9,000 feet will drop into the mid 20s overnight and rise into the mid 30s on Sunday.The general avalanche hazard at the upper elevations (9,000 to 10,500 feet) is expected to be MODERATE or CONSIDERABLE depending on the actual intensity and duration of the snowfall event that is forecast to occur tonight and into tomorrow. Strong winds will drift the new snow onto leeward aspects. Surface slabs one to three in depth will form upon hard crusts and are likely to be sensitive to human triggers. If rapid loading occurs these slabs may fail spontaneously. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be LOW at the mid and lower elevations, however if significant rainfall occurs wet slides could be a problem at the lower elevations.