Tetons

Significant wind events ranging from the south to the west with storm totals up to 30 inches with 2 inches of water at upper elevations have created new wind slabs on a variety of aspects up to three feet in depth which could still be easily triggered today. With the heavy snowfall of the past three days, the snowpack is begining to see enough increased weight to cause the failure of deep early season faceted instabilities, particularly on shaded or north facing aspects. Yesterday, such an event went to the ground on an unskied northerly aspect at the JHMR during avalanche hazard reduction. It is probable that skiers or riders traveling in avalanche terrain at the mid and high elevations could trigger a similar event resulting in disastrous consequences. Sensitivity will increase if significant warming occurs. At the low elevations it is still possible to trigger surface slabs up to 18 inches depth. TRAVEL IN AVALANCHE TERRAIN IS NOT RECOMMENDED TODAY.