Tetons

At high elevations this morning, backcountry skiers or riders have the potential to trigger isolated pockets of soft surface slab to eighteen inches in depth that lie in steep wind loaded terrain near ridge crests and cliff areas. This hazard will rise today as new snow and Southwest winds increase the size and sensitivity of these slabs and also provide for the possibility of loose snow sluffs. At mid and low elevations isolated pockets of shallow soft slabs could be triggered on the surface of the mostly stable snow pack.

Low pressure will continue to bring periods of snow to the Mountains of western Wyoming through Monday. The Tetons can expect 4 to 8 inches of new snow by Monday night and the Salt and Greys River Mountains 12 or more inches. The Togwotee Pass area is forecasted to receive 5 to 8 inches. Winds at the ridge tops and through passes will be southwesterly at 25 to 30 miles per hour during the night then back to southerly and slow to 15 m.p.h. during the day Monday. Temperatures at 9,500 feet will continue cold with morning lows in the single digits and highs only reaching the low teens.The general avalanche hazard will begin at Moderate Monday and will increase during the day as new snow and winds create soft slabs to two feet in depth that may be easily triggered by backcountry travelers. The new snow rests on light density snow over sun crusts on southerly exposures. On north facing slopes the new snow is falling on melt-freeze crusts and surface hoar.