Tetons

Rapid, heavy snowfall and warming temperatures have created dangerous avalanche conditions. The new snow is falling on weak, lighter density snow that rests on slick sun crusts or firm wind packed snow. Soft slabs to three feet in depth will be easily triggered on a variety of aspects. With increasing snow, wind speeds and temperatures the hazard will rise through the day. Cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making will be essential today. Isolated pockets of soft slab or loose sloughs could be human triggered at low elevations.

Periods of moderate to heavy snowfall are expected in the mountains overnight and into Thursday with up to eight inches expected by morning. Occasional mountain snow showers are to continue Thursday as temperatures rise into the low thirties. Strong west winds with averages between twenty and thirty miles per hour are expected through Thursday. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Considerable above 9000 feet. Soft slabs to three feet in depth could be triggered in steep avalanche terrain. Below 9000 feet, pockets of slab could be triggered. Increasing temperatures and potential rain will further soften the snowpack and increase the chance for wet loose activity, particularly on very steep low elevation slopes.