Areas of unstable snow exist in steep terrain above an elevation of 7,500 feet. Close calls involving skiers and slab avalanches have occurred in the Teton Range during the past several days. Two of these events could have been fatal. Similar events are possible in the Southwest Trails area. Careful snowpack and terrain evaluation is essential today for safe backcountry travel. Avalanches are unlikely at the lower elevations except on isolated terrain features.
At the mid and upper elevations humans could trigger slab avalanches that are 1 to 3 feet in depth on persistent weak layers of faceted snow.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Skies that will be partly to mostly cloudy overnight will quickly become overcast early in the morning. Light snowfall will develop and continue into the afternoon. Accumulations will favor the southwestern portion of our forecast area and are expected to range from a trace to 3 inches. Temperatures will be in the single digits and teens. Winds will be light and veer from the northwest towards the northeast.Areas of unstable snow exist in steep terrain at the mid and upper elevations. Humans can trigger large slab avalanches that are 1 to 3 feet in depth on persistent weak layers of faceted snow. Winds have mostly been light during the past two days but have been strong enough to create wind slabs especially at the higher elevations. Skiers in the Teton Range have been injured in close calls that could have been fatal. Similar events are possible on Thursday. Avalanches are unlikely at the lower elevations except on isolated terrain features. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE at the mid and upper elevations and LOW below an elevation of 7,500 feet.
