Tetons

At the higher elevations strong west to southwest winds continue to drift available snow onto leeward aspects. Temperatures will be on the increase at all elevations and stayed above freezing at the lower elevations all night. The next storm system will begin to rapidly load upper elevation avalanche starting zones during the afternoon and evening hours. Slab avalanches could be triggered by humans at the mid and upper elevations. Wet slides could become a hazard on very steep slopes at the lower elevations.

Expect moderate to heavy mountain snowfall to develop overnight before snowfall intensity decreases during the day. The valleys should see a mix of snow and rain overnight before the rain line rises as the day progresses on Friday. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the low 20s before rising to near freezing in the afternoon, and the valleys will likely remain above freezing overnight. Southwesterly to westerly ridgetop winds will range between 10 and 20 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Moderate above 7,500 feet on Friday morning. If precipitation continues through the day, the hazard will be on the increase. At the higher end of this elevation band, skiers and riders could trigger wind slabs one to two feet in depth in steep, avalanche-prone terrain. As the day progresses, warming temperatures and a rising rain line will increase the likelihood of these slides, and the possibility of wet slides will develop on very steep slopes that become saturated. Be wary of terrain where dry snow is transitioning to wet snow, especially in areas that are shaded during the heart of winter and melting for the first time of the season. Below 7,500 feet, the springtime snowpack is mostly stable, and significant avalanche activity is unlikely. However, be suspect of very steep terrain that is isothermal and unconsolidated.