Tetons

Todays snow is slowly adding more mass and depth to the soft surface slabs that have formed over the last four days. These slabs can be found on all aspects and lie upon older hard snow surfaces and in some areas surface hoar. These slabs can be triggered by backcountry travellers in steep terrain today, particularly at the high elevations where slab depths could reach three feet. Such a slide was triggered yesterday in Unskiabowl when two skiers were caught and one was buried to their neck. Avalanches are not expected at low elevations today where little snow has fallen.

The next system will move Northward through the area bringing some snow to the mountains and rain below 6300' on Saturday. Highest accumulations(of a few inches) are expected in the mountains around the Upper Green River Basin. Light winds and highs in the upper twenties are expected. AVALANCHE HAZARD FORECAST FOR THE TETON, TOGWOTEE PASS, AND SOUTHWEST TRAILS AREAS:The General Avalanche Hazard is expected to remain MODERATE above 8500' where the possibility to trigger pockets of soft surface slabs continues on very steep wind loaded terrain. These slabs are deepest in the Teton area where the could possibly reach three feet.Backcountry users are advised to consult area specific forecasts issued every morning as new information may become available and unexpected weather can change conditions.