Tetons

After a week of clear skies and temperature inversions, a dry cold front has moved through the area. Temperatures at the higher elevations have dropped from the low 30’s into the upper teens. Three weeks of drought have created snow surfaces that include areas of crust, surface hoar and loose faceted snow. This snowpack is currently stable. Avalanches are unlikely. The last significant avalanche event occurred on November 19. Knowledge of the spacial distribution of potential weak layers and sliding surfaces on and in the existing snowpack will be essential for managing future avalanche hazards.

We are entering into a more active weather period. A weak low-pressure system over southeast Idaho will cause light snowfall to develop and spread into the mountains of Western Wyoming and the eastern highlands of Southeast Idaho. This snowfall will begin tonight and will favor the southern portion of our forecast region. Accumulations of an inch or two are possible. Temperatures will be in the teens. Winds will be light at 5 to 10 miles per hour and veer from the southeast to the west.There are plenty of good sliding surfaces but there will only be a small amount of new snow. Shallow sluffs of new snow are possible on very steep slopes. Assess terrain carefully as even small slides can have consequences. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be low.