Tetons

Slabs 1-3 feet deep could be triggered today at the mid and high elevations in steep avalanche terrain. These slabs were formed two weeks ago and lie upon a persistent layer of surface hoar, faceted snow and crusts. CAUTION IS RECOMMENDED as these slab avalanches are hard to predict and continue to occur on slopes that have seen considerable traffic. Avalanches are unlikely today at low elevations. The 10th Annual Ski Bum Music Festival will be held tonight at the Mangy Moose, where local musicians play an event supporting the avalanche center.

A shortwave trough is expected to move through the area Saturday afternoon bringing increasing cloud cover and scattered snow showers producing 1 to 3 inches by Sunday. Overnight lows are forecasted to dip into the single digits in the mountains and negative teens in the valley before rising into the mid teens at all elevations during the day on Saturday. Ridgetop winds should be Westerly at 5 to 15 mph.The General Avalanche Hazard in TETON area is expected to remain MODERATE on Saturday. The possibility of backcountry travelers triggering surface slabs up to three deep persists on steep, wind loaded slopes. These slabs have the potential of carrying skiers or riders into terrain traps or over cliffbands.The General Avalanche Hazard in the CONTINENTAL DIVIDE/TOGWOTEE PASS and SOUTHWEST TRAILS/GREYS RIVER areas is also expected to remain MODERATE. In addition to the possibility of triggering surface slabs similar to those in the Teton area, persistent deep slab instabilities lurk. These supportable slabs, which conceal a base of weak, well-developed faceted snow, can give backcountry travelers a false sense of security. Severe consequences await the unlucky person that releases this avalanche dragon.A varied snowpack has developed in Western Wyoming and CAUTION IS ADVISED. Both the surface slab and deep slab problems that confront backcountry travelers this season can be difficult to predict. Over the past few weeks, numerous instances have occurred where slopes have failed after seeing significant traffic, while other slopes have been remotely triggered.