Tetons

The General Avalanche Hazard is LOW at Mid and Upper elevations this morning and will rapidly rise to MODERATE by mid morning. Very warm overnight temperatures have allowed the snow surface to set up only a thin crusts that warm winds and sunshine will quickly melt. Sloughs and surface slabs up to 2 feet in depth will become more easily triggered, particularly on sunlit aspects. The Hazard will vary by area depending on cloud cover, slope aspect and altitude. Start early and be off sunlit slopes by afternoon. At Low elevations the Hazard is MODERATE. Overnight temps were so warm the snow did not set up and wet sloughs are possible. Stay off steep areas and avoid terrain traps.

Rain and snow showers will develop Tuesday evening and continue Wednesday over the mountains as a cold front moves into the region. 10,000 foot temperatures will fall into the low twenties by Wednesday morning then rise into the upper twenties during the day. Winds will continue strong from the West at 25 to 30 miles per hour.The General Avalanche Hazard in the Teton Range is expected to be LOW on Wednesday morning at all elevations and may increase depending on freezing level and rain received. With heating, wet loose slides will become possible. Skiers investigated the Darby Canyon accident Monday and found that the hard slab slide likely started on buried faceted snow. The West side of the Teton Range has a shallower snowpack than the East side and has persistent weak snow at the base and within the snow. The General Avalanche Hazard in the Continental Divide/Togwotee Pass area is expected to remain MODERATE on Wednesday. Wet, loose surface slides will become possible with warming conditions and rain. The chance of triggering a deep, hard slab resting on buried weak snow is low but the consequences are severe. These slabs will become more susceptible to failure as the day warms.The General Avalanche Hazard in the Southwest Trails/Greys River area is also expected to remain MODERATE. In addition to similar concerns with deeper snowpack slides that exist in the Togwotee Pass area, wet, loose surface sloughs will become possible with warming.