Tetons

Dangerous unstable slabs up three feet in depth lie upon a persistent weak layer of buried surface hoar and weak faceted snow. Yesterday a skier remotely triggered a three foot deep slab avalanche that ran into the Buck Creek Drainage from near the top of Beaver Mountain in Hoback Canyon. Similar events could be triggered by humans today in steep avalanche paths that have not had recent avalanche activity. Instabilities associated with a dense slab on faceted snow are not only persistent but hard to assess and manage. Steep slopes could be crossed multiple times before a rider or skier crosses a sweet spot and triggers a slab avalanche. These conditions necessitate a conservative approach as consequences could be severe.

An upper level disturbance with a weak cold front will pass through the region overnight. The system will deposit and inch or so of new snow. On Friday skies will be mostly cloudy with some snow flurries. Temperatures will be in the 20s and winds will be westerly at about 10 miles per hour.Humans who venture into steep avalanche paths could trigger dense slab avalanches up to three feet in depth. Suspect slopes could be crossed multiple times before a rider or skier hits a weak spot and triggers a dangerous avalanche. These conditions require a conservative approach. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be CONSIDERABLE at the mid and upper elevations and MODERATE at the lower elevations.