Tetons

The general avalanche hazard is MODERATE at mid and upper elevations. Cold temperatures and settlement have helped to increase stability in the snowpack. The possibility remains for backcountry travellers to trigger slabs to two feet in depth particularly at mid elevations on northerly aspects. The slabs rest on an assortment of weak layers and sliding surfaces. Slides may require larger triggers like the second or later person on a slope. Very strong overnight west-northwest winds have also created new sensitive slabs in lee areas near ridgecrests. At low elevations the hazard is LOW. Isolated pockets could be triggered by people in steep, wind loaded areas.

Another cold system is to enter the area from the north and is expected to bring several(5-7") of very light snow by late Tuesday. West winds, blowing in the 30's Monday afternoon will reduce to 10-20 mph by morning.AVALANCHE HAZARD FOR THE TETON AND THE TOGWOTEE PASS/CONTINENTAL DIVIDE AREASThe general avalanche hazard is expected to remain MODERATE at mid and upper elavations Tuesday, as the expected snowfall will not contain much weight and winds are forecast to diminish. New surface slabs to over a foot in depth will lie over the deeper, recent slabs that can be three feet deep. These new slabs could be triggered tomorrow and could or could not pull out the deeper slabs as those slabs lie upon crusts and faceted snow. These weak faceted layers are well developed in the Tetons, and even more so in the Togwotee pass area. At the Low elevations, the hazard will remain LOW where isolated pockets could be released on the steepest wind loaded slopes.AVALANCHE HAZARD FOR GREYS RIVER/SOUTHWEST TRAILS AREA:The avalanche centers' instrumentation has been down for several days in this area. Weather observations, avalanche observations and reports have been insufficient to post an accurate avalanche bulletin. It is expected that dangerous potentially large avalanches could be human triggered as several feet of snow has fallen on a snowpack that just over a week ago had very well developed crusts, surface hoar, and faceted snow.