Tetons

At the mid and upper elevations deep hard slabs three to five feet in depth persist in steep avalanche paths that did not slide during the recent storm cycle. The potential for the weight of a single person to trigger one of these slabs exist but is slowly decreasing. Larger triggers such as snow machines are more likely to initiate the failure of one of these slabs. These slabs may be crossed multiple times before a weak spot is hit and the slab releases. For this reason tracks are not an indication of stability. Most avalanche fatalities occur during periods of moderate or considerable hazard. Clear skies tend to encourage people to take greater risks and warmer temperatures and sustained periods of sunshine will likely increase the sensitivity of these slabs to human triggers. Conservation terrain choices and restraint are essential as the consequences of triggering one of these slabs could be fatal.

Cool dry conditions are expected across the region through the weekend. On Saturday skies will be clear and winds will be light and variable. Temperatures will drop into the single digits overnight and rise into the 20s during the day.The general avalanche hazard is expected to MODERATE. Deep hard slabs up to five feet in depth continue to present a treat to humans who venture into steep avalanche paths that did not slide during the last storm cycle. These slabs could be human triggered especially by larger triggers such as snow machines. These slabs are problematic because in some cases they may be crossed multiple times before a weak spot is hit and the slab releases while in other areas where the snowpack is shallower they could be triggered by the weight of a single person. Clear skies tend to encourage people to take greater risks. Warming and sustained periods of sunshine will increase the sensitivity of these slabs to human triggers. Conservation terrain choices and restraint are essential as the consequences of triggering one of these slabs could be fatal.