At the high elevations the possibility exists to trigger isolated pockets of small wind slab or loose snow sluffs in very steep terrain. Avalanches are unlikely at the mid and lower elevations. As the day warms, expect sun balling and very small wet slides involving only the new snow in steep terrain.
At the upper elevations small pockets of wind slab up a foot in depth could be human triggered in steep terrain. Once triggered these slides could carry people over cliffs and for long distances in very steep chutes. These slabs will be more sensitive this afternoon as they are weakened by sunlight and warm temperatures.
Friday looks to be mostly sunny and warm. Temperatures are to rise into the upper thirties to low forties at the higher elevations. Winds are to be south-southwesterly at ten to twenty miles per hour. The general avalanche hazard will be Low in the Tetons. Avalanche activity is limited to isolated pockets in steep terrain above 9,000 feet. These pockets are most likely to be found in steep couloirs and cliff areas where even small slides can have serious and even fatal consequences. Sunshine and warming will increase the sensitivity of these slabs and the chance for small wet slides will also become possible in the afternoon. In the Southwest Trails and Togwotee Pass areas the hazard is Moderate. In addition to the chance to trigger isolated pockets of recent snow, deep instabilities persist. Although failure is not expected in most terrain, there remains a slight chance for failure of the deep hard slabs in high and steep avalanche slopes that still have not seen significant traffic this season.
