Tetons

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist at the upper elevations. There, skiers and riders are likely to trigger small to large, recently developed wind slabs in steep, wind loaded terrain. At the mid elevations, where recent winds were less significant, smaller human triggered wind slabs will be possible. The release of one of these wind slabs could also initiate a large to very large deep persistent slab. Avoid steep, wind loaded slopes; great skiing and riding can easily be found in conservative terrain. Backcountry travelers might be able to trigger an isolated pocket of soft slab in very steep terrain at the lower elevations.

Ridgetop winds will decrease overnight and back to the south before increasing in the afternoon and veering back to the west. Light snowfall will continue tonight before the next shortwave moves into the area late in the day on Sunday. Overnight lows in the mountains will be near 10 degrees before rising into the mid-teens in the afternoon.On Sunday, the general avalanche hazard is expected to remain Considerable in the higher elevations of the Tetons and Southwest Trails area. Up there, backcountry travelers could trigger winds slabs with depths ranging from one to three feet in steep, wind loaded starting zones. On Togwotee Pass, where winds were lighter, the general avalanche hazard is expected to remain Moderate, and human triggered wind slabs will continue to be possible. Avoid steep terrain with significant deposits of drifted snow, especially if surfaces are hard and drummy.In all three forecast zones, skiers and riders still have some potential of triggering persistent deep slabs with depths of three to five feet. These dangerous avalanches are more susceptible to failure on northwesterly through northeasterly aspects above 8,500 feet and could step down from the release of a wind slab. Being caught in one of these slides could easily have fatal consequences.