During the morning, the potential exists to trigger wind slabs at the high elevations in steep avalanche terrain. Sunlight and above freezing temperatures will further weaken these surface slabs and also provide the possibility for wet slides at all elevations this afternoon. Evaluate terrain and snow surface conditions and beware of travel under steep avalanche paths.
Pockets of hard wind slab lie at the upper elevations and isolated pockets exist at the mid elevations. These wind slabs could have depths to 18 inches and be human triggered in wind loaded avalanche starting zones, steep couloirs and cliff areas. These slabs will become more sensitive to human triggers and could release as dry or wet slabs this afternoon.
Wet loose slides are possible on steep slopes on a variety of aspects after snow surfaces soften. These slides will be most likely occur in very steep terrain where minimal wind and warm temperatures allow snow surfaces to get particularly soft. This activity could release naturally or be human triggered.
Mountain snow showers with minimal accumulations are possible overnight, particularly in the northern Teton and Togwotee Pass areas. Friday looks to be partly sunny with consistent high clouds overhead. Temperatures are to be similar to today and west winds are to become southwesterly with fifteen to twenty mile per hour averages.The general avalanche hazard will be Moderate above 7500 feet. In the Teton and Southwest Trails areas, wind slabs with depths to eighteen inches could be triggered. In the Togwotee pass area, older slabs lie over persistent weak layers and slabs to four feet could be triggered in steep avalanche terrain. Warming temperatures and periods of sunlight will increase the likelihood of triggering either of these two problems as well as provide for the possibility of wet loose activity during the afternoon.
