The hazard will be increasing at all elevations today. Warm snowfall upon colder snow, strong winds and warming temperatures will combine to create unstable conditions. New soft slabs and loose snow sluffs are expected to be sensitive to human triggers. A cautious approach to terrain, to the increasing hazard and the shallow snow conditions is warranted. Even small avalanches can have severe consequences due to the obstacles, like rocks and stumps.
At the upper elevations strong west to southwest winds will create soft slabs up to two feet in depth. These slabs are likely to be easily triggered by skiers and riders in steep wind loaded avalanche starting zones. At the mid and lower elevations loose snow sluffs and isolated pockets of wind slab up to a foot in depth could be human triggered on very steep slopes.
Periods of moderate to heavy snowfall are likely overnight as a cold front passes through the area. Additional accumulations of four to eight inches are possible. Skies will slowly clear on Saturday as colder and dryer air moves in behind the passing front. Temperatures will drop into the single digits. Winds will veer to the northwest and decrease to 5 to 15 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard at the upper elevations will be CONSIDERABLE at the upper elevations of the Teton Range. It will be MODERATE in the Continental Divide/Togwotee Pass area, in the Greys River/Southwest Trails area and at the mid elevations in the Teton area. The hazard is expected to be LOW in all areas at the lower elevations. Human triggered slab avalanches one to two feet in depth could be human triggered, especially on steep northerly aspects above an elevation of 9,000 feet. Caution is advised.
