Weak faceted snow persists in the snowpack. Skiers and ride have the potential to trigger avalanches in steep terrain at the high elevations. At the mid elevations, isolated pockets of small slabs could be triggered in very steep rocky areas and avalanches are not expected at the low elevations today.
Above 9000 feet, where consolidated snow rests upon layers of faceted snow, avalanches can be triggered in steep avalanche terrain. These slabs could release in pockets to two feet in cliff or rocky areas and a slight potential remains to trigger larger slides in north facing avalanche paths.
Snow is expected overnight and throughout Saturday. Snowfall will favor the higher elevations where five inches of snow could fall by tomorrow night. Temperatures are to be slightly warmer with highs in the teens expected. Winds will be generally light with ten to fifteen mile per hour averages from the west. The general avalanche hazard will be Moderate at higher elevations of the Tetons and Togwotee Pass areas and at all elevations in the southwest trails area. Human triggered slabs remain possible with depths to twenty four inches in steep loaded terrain. Some potential remains to trigger larger hard slab avalanches on north facing slopes above 9000 feet. Hazard associated with new snow is expected to be minimal but the chance to trigger small surface sluffs could develop in the afternoon and will become more significant if greater than expected snowfall amounts occur.
