Tetons

Very strong winds and heavy snowfall yesterday morning formed wind slabs on a variety of aspects. These slabs could be human triggered today at the mid and upper elevations. They are most likely to be found in steep terrain above cliff areas and in couloirs where a wind drifted pocket could exist lower on the slope and not be apparent from above. Avalanches at low elevations are not expected today except for small isolated pockets in the steepest terrain. In the Teton area, the triggering of large hard slabs involving the weak snow near the base of the snowpack has become very unlikely and is not currently being considered an avalanche problem.

Clouds will be on the increase overnight. A trace of snow could fall by sunrise. During the day, snowfall will increase in intensity and could be heavy during the afternoon. Sub-zero temperatures are expected at all elevations in the morning. Slightly warmer air is to come in with the precipitation, allowing temperatures to warm to the teens. West winds are to have 10-20 mph averages during most of the day and then increase in the later afternoon. The general avalanche hazard will be Moderate in the Tetons above 9000 where wind slabs to eighteen inches could be triggered in steep terrain. Below 9000 the danger will be Low and avalanches are unlikely except for isolated pockets in the steepest terrain. In the Togwotee Pass and Southwest trails areas, the danger rating will be Moderate at all elevations. More snow fell yesterday in these locations and the possibility exists for human triggered wind slabs at all elevations. These slabs are likely to release as pockets with depths to two feet. The remote chance also continues in these areas to trigger hard slab avalanches on deeply buried layers above 8000 feet. A larger trigger such as a snow machine hitting a thin, weak spot or the movement of a wind slab is most likely to trigger such an event.