Tetons

Dangerous unstable slabs persist on a variety of aspects. At Mid and Upper elevations, soft slabs one to three feet in depth could be triggered on steep, wind-loaded slopes. Deeper, hard slabs may need more substantial triggers, such as snow machines or multiple people on a slope. Over the last three days several large avalanches have been triggered by backcountry travelers resulting in injuries, fatalities, and close calls. Yesterday the third person on a very steep slope triggered a large slide on a northeasterly aspect at 10,000 feet. At lower elevations isolated pockets of slabs up to two feet in depth could be triggered in steep, active avalanche paths.

Winds will diminish and temperatures will continue to drop to near ten below by Wednesday morning as a north to northwesterly flow affects the region. Occasional light snow is possible with daytime 9500 foot maximums in the low single digits. Winds will be northerly at 15 miles per hour along the ridge tops.New snow and very strong winds created sensitive slabs to 18 inches in depth that could be easily triggered on lee slopes. Deeper, old slabs resting on buried weak layers continue to be a concern on steep west, north and east aspects. Released new slabs or stronger triggers such as multiple riders on a slope may be necessary to pull out the older snow. Wednesday the General Avalanche hazard is expected to be Considerable in the Greys River and Teton areas and Moderate in the Continental Divide/Togwotee Pass area.