Tetons

Rapid snowfall rates with westerly winds and warming temperatures will create an increasing hazard today.At mid and upper elevations new, easily triggered slabs on lee slopes will increase in size from 10 inches in depth to 20 inches by evening. The new snow is falling on weaker, light density snow resting on good sliding surfaces such as sun crusts and wind pack. In very steep terrain and couloirs at upper elevations slides could pull out older, deeper slabs. At low elevations warm temperatures will increase the possibility of triggering an isolated pocket of slab or wet-loose slides in very steep areas like road cuts or ravines.

Sunday night into Monday moderate to heavy snowfall is expected with six to nine inches of accumulation in the Tetons and Greys River areas and five to seven inches in the Togwotee Pass area. Winds will be westerly at 30 miles per hour. Temperatures will remain in the upper 20s overnight into Monday. The thin, easily triggered, dense slabs experienced Sunday will grow in depth with the new snow and wind. In the Tetons and Greys River areas backcountry travelers could trigger slabs 12 to 24 inches in depth in steep, lee areas at upper and mid elevations where the avalanche danger is expected to remain Considerable. Naturally releasing slides may be possible.In the Togwotee Pass area there will be an increased chance for users to trigger soft slabs to 14 inches in depth in steep areas of bowls and gullies at upper elevations where the avalanche danger will be Moderate. At Low elevations across the region the chance of human triggered or naturally releasing wet-loose slides is increasing due to warm temperatures and rain in steep areas like road cuts and ravines. The avalanche danger there will be Moderate.