At the upper elevations the 5 AM temperatures are in the upper 20s. They are about five degrees warmer than yesterday morning and about 15 degrees warmer than two mornings ago. Clear skies will cause snow surfaces to soften early. The hazard will increase from MODERATE to CONSIDERABLE after significant warming has occurred. Dangerous wet slabs are possible on steep slopes and could be triggered by humans, wet loose slides or cornice drops. The snow is shallower below an elevation of 8,000 feet. Wet slides are possible on steep snow covered slopes at the lower elevations after snow surfaces soften.
Dangerous wet slabs up to three feet in depth lie upon a weak basal layer of depth hoar and will become increasingly sensitive to human triggers and natural release as the day warms.
Wet loose slides are possible on steep snow covered slopes after significant warming occurs. These slides could trigger wet slab avalanches.
Cornice failures are possible. Large cornice drops could trigger dangerous wet slabs.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )The high pressure ridge will continue to build into the region bringing dryer conditions and warmer temperatures. Skies are expected to be partly cloudy overnight and on Thursday. Temperatures are forecast to drop into the mid to upper 20s overnight. If skies are clear the overnight lows will be lower. If skies are cloudy the overnight lows will be higher. On Thursday temperatures will rise to near 40 at the upper elevations, well into the 40s at the mid elevations and possibly into the 50s in the valleys. Winds will be west-southwest at 10 to 15 miles per hour.Warm temperatures and sunshine will soften snow surfaces and increase the avalanche hazard earlier in the day. The potential for wet loose and wet slabs avalanches to occur will increase as the day warms. The general avalanche hazard is anticipated to increase to MODERATE in the Teton Area and could increase to CONSIDERABLE in the Continental Divide/Togwotee Pass and Southwest Trails/Greys River Areas. Steep slopes and their run-out zones should be avoided after significant warming occurs.
