Tetons

At the higher elevations strong southwest winds have been rapidly loading lee aspects with heavy dense snow since midnight. From midnight to 5 AM over six inches of new snow with 0.8 inches of moisture has fallen at the mid and upper elevations. The lower elevations received over 0.25 inches of rain during this period. At the upper elevations 30 inches of snow with three inches of moisture has fallen since Wednesday night. Dense unstable slabs up to three feet in depth lie upon hard crusts. In steep terrain these slabs are likely to be easily triggered by humans and could release naturally and run into the mid elevations. At the lower elevations wet slides to the ground are possible on steep slopes and road cuts.

The strong moist westerly flow will bring more precipitations to the area. Once again snow is forecast to begin overnight and continue into the day with accumulations of six to 12 inches likely in the mountains. Strong west-southwest winds will accompany this snowfall. Mountain temperatures will be in the 20s at night and rise into the 30s during the day. Rain showers are likely at the lower elevations where temperatures will drop into the lower 30s overnight and rise into the 40s during the day.The general avalanche hazard at the upper elevations (9,000 to 10,500 feet) is expected to be MODERATE or CONSIDERABLE depending on the 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. At the upper elevations dense, wind slabs up to three in depth 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.