Tetons

At the mid and upper elevations new snow and very strong winds have created new soft surface slabs up to four feet deep. Large dangerous naturally released avalanches are likely and could flow into lower elevation runout zones. The Glory Bowl slide path was triggered early this morning by the Wyoming Department of Transportation and ran to the Teton Pass highway. On Tuesday a snowmobiler was buried in the upper portion of the Split Rock Creek drainage on Togwotee Pass and has not yet been recovered. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended today.

The snowfall will wind down Thursday night and skies will become partly cloudy. Southwest winds will begin to increase on Friday ahead of an approaching system taking shape off the Pacific coast. Snow will begin to redevelop Friday evening. Highs will be in the teens to low 20's. AVALANCHE HAZARD FOR THE TETON, TOGWOTEE PASS/CONTINENTAL DIVIDE AND GREYS RIVER/SOUTHWEST TRAILS AREASThe general avalanche hazard is expected to be CONSIDERABLE above 7,500 feet. Dangerous soft surface slabs up to three feet deep are likely to be easily triggered by single skiers. In the Togwotee and Greys River areas these slabs have the potential to step down to buried weak layers. Below 7,500 feet the general avalanche hazard is expected to be LOW. Good terrain evaluation and route finding skills are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain. Backcountry users are advised to consult area specific forecasts issued every morning as new information may become available and unexpected weather can change conditions.