The mountains have received 4 to 6 inches of new snow since yesterday morning. West to west-southwest winds have formed shallow pockets of fresh wind slab 6 to 12 inches deep on leeward aspects. Humans who venture onto steep avalanche prone slopes at the higher elevations could trigger soft slab avalanches and loose snow sluffs. This new snow and wind has also increased the load on persistent weak layers. This new load may increase the potential for humans to trigger large persistent slab avalanches. Avalanches are unlikely below an elevation of 7,500 feet . A careful evaluation of the the snow and terrain is warranted. Practice safe travel techniques.
Skiers and riders could trigger large persistent slab avalanches on buried weak layers of surface hoar and faceted snow. The slab slabs could also be triggered by the release of a fresh wind slab or a sizable loose snow avalance. These persistent slab avalanches could be two to four feet deep.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Snowfall will continue to favor the higher elevations of the Teton Range overnight and will taper off to flurries by sunrise. Several inches of additional accumulation are possible. Breaks are anticipated in the cloud cover on Friday. Temperatures will stay in the teens and 20s. Westerly winds will be light. Humans who venture into very steep terrain that has been favored by today’s and tonight’s snowfall could trigger shallow loose snow sluffs and shallow pockets of soft wind up to one foot deep. Persistent weak layers are present deeper in the snowpack. Humans, especially those on snowmachines, may still be able to trigger large slab avalanches in isolated locations on those persistent weak layers in the Teton and Togwotee Pass areas where the general avalanche hazard is moderate. If triggered these slab avalanches could be 2 to 5 feet deep. The potential to trigger one of these persistent slab avalanches, 2 to 5 feet deep, is greater in the Greys River areas where the hazard is considerable. Avalanches are unlikely in all areas below an elevation of 7,500 feet except on isolated terrain features.
