Tetons

With new snow and strong winds in the forecast the hazard will increase as the day progresses. New wind slabs up to one foot in depth will form on windpacked snow surfaces and melt-freeze crusts. These slabs will increase in depth and volume and are likely to be sensitive to human triggers. Hard slabs up to eight feet in depth exist at the mid and upper elevations and lie upon persistent weak layers and good sliding surfaces near the base of the snowpack. The potential for these very dangerous slabs to be human triggered or release naturally will be increasing during the day. Large destructive avalanches are possible on a variety of aspects. TRAVEL IN AVALANCHE TERRAIN IS NOT RECOMMENDED.

A strong winter storm will continue to bring moderate to heavy snowfall to the region. The heaviest snowfall will likely occur around midday on Friday and into Friday afternoon as a cold front approaches. Very strong southwest winds will continue and cause whiteout conditions. Temperatures will slowly warm overnight and enough warm air may move in ahead of the cold front to cause areas of rain or a rain and snow mixture in some valley locations.The general avalanche hazard will be HIGH. Large new snow slab avalanches up to three feet in depth and dangerous deep slab avalanches up to eight feet in depth are likely to release naturally or be triggered by humans. Large, destructive avalanches could run full track. TRAVEL IN AVALANCHE TERRAIN IS NOT RECOMMENDED.