Tetons

The chance continues for backcountry travelers to trigger hard slab avalanches to the base of the snowpack in steep avalanche terrain. These slabs may release even after a slope is crossed several times when a trigger point is impacted or may release due to heavier loads such as snowmobiles. At the low elevations hazard is limited to isolated pockets in very steep terrain while at the mid and high elevations large dangerous pockets are susceptible in the deeper snowpack. Loose snow sluffs and soft slabs involving newer snow are also possible in very steep terrain. Yesterday a skier triggered and was partially buried by slide on a steep hillside just above Moose Brush Gully.

Light snow is expected tonight and Saturday. Temperatures are to rise to the mid to upper twenties in the mountains. Winds are to be from the southwest with 15-20 mile per hour averages.The avalanche hazard is to be Moderate in the Teton and Togwotee Pass areas and Considerable in the Greys River area where the snowpack remains the most sensitive. Backcountry riders and skiers have the potential to trigger hard slab avalanches to the base of the snowpack in steep avalanche terrain. These slabs may fail when a weak spot or trigger point is hit even after a slope has been crossed several times. Larger loads such as snowmobiles or groups of skiers have a greater potential to trigger these weaknesses. The potential to trigger loose snow sluffs and pockets of soft slabs to a foot in depth near ridge crests also exists in steep terrain.