Tetons

Yesterdays storm brought about a foot of new snow to the mountains. It was accompanied by moderate southwest winds that veered to the west and increased to 30 to 40 with gusts to near 60 miles per hour from sunset until about midnight. Humans who venture into steep avalanche terrain at the higher elevations are likely to trigger soft slabs two to four feet in depth. At the mid elevations humans could trigger soft surface slabs one to three feet deep on steep wind loaded slopes. At the lower elevations isolated pockets of soft slab up to a foot deep could be human triggered on very steep wind loaded slopes. Since the 19th of February there have been nine avalanche fatalities in the west. In our region there has been one fatality and several injuries. Skiers and riders who venture into steep terrain at the mid and upper elevations should expect to be seriously injured or killed if they trigger an avalanche.

Snow showers are expected to deposit three to six inches of new snow in the mountains overnight. On Friday skies will be mostly cloudy with continued snow showers. A couple inches of accumulation are likely. Temperatures will be in the single digits and teens. Winds will be northwesterly at 15 to 20 miles per miles. In the Teton and Greys River/Southwest Trails areas the general avalanche hazard is expected to be CONSIDERABLE. Recent strong winds have created slabs up to four feet in depth on steep slopes. Humans who venture into steep wind loaded avalanche paths are likely to trigger these slabs. In the Continental Divide/Togwotee Pass area the general avalanched hazard is expected to be MODERATE. Humans who venture into steep avalanche prone slopes could trigger slab avalanches up to three feet in depth.