Tetons

At the higher elevations yesterdays storm brought 21 inches of new snow with 1.6 inches of moisture to Grand Targhee Resort and 9 inches of new snow with 0.7 inches of moisture to the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. This snowfall was accompanied by strong west-southwest winds. The new snow and winds have formed soft surface slabs up to 40 inches deep on leeward aspects. Humans who venture into steep, wind loaded avalanche terrain are likely to trigger one of these slabs. Increasing temperatures and sunshine could also cause the natural release of these slabs.

Isolated snow showers may be possible in some northwest locations on Thursday as high pressure builds and mostly clear skies prevail. Temperatures are to rise into the forties in the mountains and winds are to be southeasterly with averages of ten to fifteen miles per hour. The general avalanche hazard will be Moderate above 8000 feet. Pockets of soft slab with depth of up to three feet may be triggered by backcountry travelers in steep wind loaded avalanche terrain, particularly on the west side of the Tetons where more snow fell. The sensitivity of these slabs will increase in the afternoon and wet loose slides will become possible as sunlight and warming weaken the surface snow.