Tetons

The avalanche danger is Low at the mid and upper elevations today. Recent light snowfall and moderate southwest winds have formed shallow pockets of slab in steep terrain in the highest elevations. The low elevations do not have enough snow cover to warrant a danger rating. Obstacles such as rocks and trees lurk just below the snow surface in many areas and present the greatest potential for injury.

Light snow showers will continue this evening and through the day tomorrow. Accumulations by the end of the day tomorrow look to be in the 3-5” range in the Tetons and Southwest Trails areas and 1-3” on Togwotee Pass/Continental Divide. Ridgetop winds will be out of the west at 15-20 mph. Temperatures will be roughly ten degrees colder than today, staying in the single digits at 10,000’ and in the low twenties in the valleys.Additional snowfall and wind will have the potential to create isolated pockets of new wind slab in the upper elevations, but the overall danger will remain Low. Observations from the field show that upper elevation north facing terrain has poor snowpack structure. The missing piece for current or near future avalanche activity is a reactive slab. Until a more rapid change occurs in the form of snowfall and/or wind, expect the avalanche danger to remain the same.