Tetons

A few more inches of snowfall to the higher elevations has brought storm totals to nearly a foot since Saturday in the Tetons. Above 9000 feet, recent snow lies upon the ground on Southerly aspects and on older firm snow on northerly aspects. In steep wind loaded areas where old snow lies, a chance exists of small slabs to be human triggered. The greatest risk associated with backcountry travel lies in the fact that the snowpack is very shallow and many rocks and other hazards exist that could cause injury from involvement in a very small avalanche or simply while travelling. Use Caution. Below 9,000 feet, the snowpack remains too shallow for avalanches.

Snowfall will increase in intensity this evening with higher snowfall rates to continue through noon tomorrow. Expect another three to six inches in the mountains while valleys receive one to four inches. Snow showers will persist through the afternoon. Temperatures are to reach the teens in the mountains and the twenties in the valleys. Winds are to continue to be strong with averages of twenty to twenty five miles per hour from the west. The general avalanche hazard will remain Low above 9000 feet, however wind slabs will continue to form and grow in size. Although still small, these slabs lie upon hard snow surfaces on all but south facing terrain and could be triggered by backcountry skiers. These slabs are easily avoided by looking for wind loading and questioning any area where the snowpack looks deep. Remember that terrain hazards are everywhere in a shallow snowpack so being carried by even small slab could still cause injury. Below 9000 feet the snowpack remains too shallow for avalanche consideration.