Tetons

Backcountry skiers and riders have the potential to trigger pockets of soft slab in steep avalanche terrain above 8500 feet that is prone to wind loading. These slabs lie upon hard crusts and facets that formed during the dry and warm period that ended on December 5th. Backcountry travelers should evaluate the snowpack and terrain carefully and avoid features of concern where this wind loading is present. At lower elevations, avalanches are unlikely in the shallow early season snowpack.

Expect isolated light snow showers overnight. Snowfall will increase in intensity in the early morning hours. Snow will continue through the day and into the evening hours, with forecasted totals by Friday morning in the 8-10” range in the Tetons, 4-6” in the Southwest Trails/Greys River, and 2-4” in the Continental Divide/Togwotee Pass zone. Ridgetop winds will be out of the southwest at 15-20 mph. Temperatures will rise into the mid teens before dipping back into the single digits by nighttime.With loading in the form of snow and wind, expect avalanches to become easier to trigger, especially later in the day. Wind loaded upper elevation slopes will be the most likely areas to find slabs sensitive to human triggers. Avalanches involving the new snow have the potential to step down to deeper layers within the snowpack. While this is on the low end of the likelihood scale, given the variability of the snowpack structure throughout all three forecast areas it should not be ruled out. Consequences of being involved in an avalanche are greater due to thin coverage and could result in traumatic injury. The danger will likely be Moderate at the upper elevations and potentially higher if snowfall amounts exceed tonight’s forecast. The danger will start out Low at the mid elevations and rise to Moderate in the afternoon. The danger at low elevations will remain Low.