Tetons

At mid and upper elevations up to two feet of new snow and very strong winds over the past three days have created slabs to four feet in depth in steep, wind loaded slopes. The firm wind slabs may release when travelers are lower on slopes than expected or when the second or later person rides a slope. The incomming snow Monday fell warm and rests on weak, light-density snow making an unstable, "upside-down" situation. At mid elevations six inches of new snow has fallen in the past 24 hours. At lower elevations slides could be triggered in steep, active slide paths.

Some light snow is expected tonight with moderate West winds before storm conditions return Thursday afternoon with heavy snow fall and Southwest winds averaging 30-45 miles per hour. Mountain temperatures are to be slightly warmer, reaching into the mid teens. The general avalanche hazard in the Tetons is expected to be Considerable at higher elevations where the wind continues to load surface slabs on leeward slopes. At lower elevations the hazard is expected to be moderate with human triggered slides possible. In the Greys River area the hazard is expected to be Considerable.In the Togwotee Pass area the hazard is expected to be Moderate.