Tetons

Little new snow but very strong, drifting winds continue to build sensitive slabs up to six feet deep. Large, dangerous slides involving the new and old snow, will continue to be easily triggered, naturally and by backcountry travelers. Yesterday a large slide was triggered on the Headwall at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. The slide debris turned a ninety degree corner, travelled several yards and caught three patrollers who were briefly buried but uninjured. Cooler temperatures may make it more difficult to trigger slides but the snowpack has not stabilized over time. At low elevations warming temperatures will increase the chance of slides in steep areas like road cuts and roof tops. TRAVEL IN AVALANCHE TERRAIN IS NOT RECOMMENDED.Bridger-Teton National Forest officials have closed touring gates from the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort until further notice.The Wyoming Department of Transportation will close Teton Pass at 8 A.M. for avalanche mitigation.

Light snow is forecasted for the mountains Wednesday with 9,500 foot elevation high temperatures in the low twenties. Winds along the summits will be southwest to westerly at 25 to 30 miles per hour.Strong winds moved available snow to develop large drifts in lee areas. The cooler temperatures and firm surface snow will make it more difficult to trigger slides but resulting avalanches are likely to be large and very dangerous. The general avalanche hazard will be CONSIDERABLE in the Tetons, Greys River/Southwest Trails and Continental Divide/Togwotee Pass areas. Conservative decisions regarding route selection are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain. Steep open slopes and areas with snow deposition from wind or cliffs should be avoided.