Tetons

Warmer air from the southwest has started advecting into the region, and mountain temperatures rose overnight. Over the past few days, skiers have triggered several small to large soft slabs in steep, wind loaded terrain. Some of these avalanches resulted in near misses. Similar slides could be triggered today at the mid and upper elevations, and daytime warming and sunshine may increase this hazard. If extended periods of sunshine occur, the chance for shallow wet slides could also develop on sunlit aspects. Monitor temperatures and the sun’s impact on snow surfaces, and transition to shaded terrain if snow surfaces start to become wet. The low probability/high consequence event of triggering a persistent deep slab avalanche still warrants mention. The snowpack is mostly stable at the lower elevations, and avalanches are unlikely.

Cloud cover will increase overnight ahead of the next Pacific storm system, and skies will become overcast by morning. This system will move in from the northwest to the southeast, and moderate to heavy snowfall could begin by Sunday afternoon. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the low 20s before rising into the upper 20s during the day. Valley temperatures will drop into the mid-20s tonight and then rise into the mid-30s in the afternoon. Ridgetop winds will back to the southwest and decrease to 15 to 25 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Moderate above 7,500 feet on Sunday. Up there, skiers and riders could trigger small to large wind slabs in steep, wind loaded terrain. In the afternoon, new shallow winds slabs will begin to form on a variety of snow surfaces, which include wind pack, sun crusts and settled snow. The low probability/high consequence event of a persistent deep slab avalanche cannot be ruled out. With below freezing temperatures overnight at all elevations, the threat of wet slides will abate, and avalanches will be unlikely below 7,500 feet.