Tetons

The avalanche hazard will slowly increase today. At the upper elevations west winds will form pockets of new soft slab 12 to 18 inches deep on leeward aspects. These slabs will lie upon hard old snow surfaces and are likely to be easily triggered by people who venture into steep avalanche starting zones. Some shallow natural releases and loose snow sluffs are likely in cliff areas and steep couloirs. In isolated areas movement of the new snow on hard old snow surfaces could release older hard slabs 10 to 30 inches deep. At the mid and lower elevations isolated pockets of new soft slab eight to 12 inches deep may form in very steep avalanche starting zones. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully and identify and avoid areas of concern.

Moisture from the Pacific will continue to move into the area in a moist zonal flow. Skies will be cloudy. Several inches of new snow are likely to fall on the mountains overnight. A couple more inches of snow are possible at the higher elevations on Friday. Temperatures at 9,000 feet will drop into the teens overnight and rise into the 20s during the day. Winds will be westerly at 10 to 15 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE at the higher elevations (9,000 to 10,500 feet). Small pockets of new soft slab up to a foot deep have formed on lee aspects. In some areas dense old slabs up to 30 inches in depth persist on very steep avalanche prone slopes. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be LOW below an elevation of 9,000 feet.