Tetons

Eight or more inches of new snow overnight and light density old snow has been drifted by strong winds into slabs to two feet in depth. The slabs lie upon problem layers consisting of faceted snow and hard crusts from the dry period that ended last week. Slides could be easily triggered by backcountry travellers today on a variety of aspects. Avoid lee slopes near ridgecrests, gullies prone to cross loading and ravines. At the lower elevations the snowpack is shallow but avalanches are possible in areas that have developed drifts.

The next system is expected to move into the southwestern mountains Thursday morning and spread northward through the day. This system is expected to bring another 6 to 10 inches of new snow by Friday and will be accompanied by strong winds. AVALANCHE HAZARD FOR THE TETON AND GREYS RIVER/SOUTHWEST TRAILS AREASThe general avalanche hazard is expected to increase from CONSIDERABLE to HIGH at the mid and upper elevations (7,500 to 10,500 feet) as strong winds and new snow combine to increase soft surface slab depths to 30 inches. Persistant weak layers and good sliding surfaces present some potential for significant natural activity that could impact highways in the afternoon or early evening. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended if this weather forecast verifies. Below 7,500 feet the general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE with pockets of new soft slab developing in some steep wind loaded aspects. AVALANCHE HAZARD FOR THE TOGWOTEE PASS/CONTINENTAL DIVIDE AREAThe general avalanche hazard is expected to increase to CONSIDERABLE as strong winds and new snow combine to increase slab depths to two feet. These slabs will lie on a persistant weak base layer of faceted snow. Natural avalanches are possible and human triggered avalanches are likely especially in steep wind loaded avalanche starting zones.