An avalanche warning has been issued by the Bridger-Teton National Forest Avalanche Center until 5 AM Thursday morning. Heavy snowfall and strong winds have created very dangerous avalanche conditions. The Wyoming Department of Transportation triggered an avalanche early this morning in the Twin Slides avalanche path that crossed the highway. Large and destructive avalanches are certain in some areas. Avoid all avalanche terrain.
Strong southwest to west winds have formed dense surface slabs on leeward aspects. These slabs lie upon buried snow surfaces that were faceted during several days of bitterly cold temperatures. These slabs are likely to release naturally and could run long distances with depths to five feet.
Very large and destructive deep slab avalanches that could involve the full depth of the snowpack could release naturally today. These slides could run into flat terrain at the lower elevations and impact mature forest.
Snow is to continue overnight with two to four inches of accumulation expected by morning. Little snow is expected during the day as the storm moves to the east and a dry regime takes over for several days. Morning temperatures at higher elevations are to be in the single digits and highs are to be in the teens. Southwest winds are to continue to be on the strong side with twenty to twenty five mile per hour averages. The current avalanche warning for the area is due to expire at 5 am Thursday. The general avalanche hazard will be Considerable in the Teton and Togwotee Pass areas and High in the Southwest Trails/Greys River area. Wind slabs pose at a threat at all elevations and on all aspects. These slabs will be most sensitive at higher elevations where depths could reach four feet in most areas and five feet in the southern portion of the region where more snow has fallen in both this and the most recent storm. These slabs could be easily triggered by backcountry skiers and riders in steep wind loaded areas on Thursday. The possibility also continues to trigger deeper avalanches above 9000 on certain aspects, especially with larger triggers.
