Tetons

The snowpack is generally stable. In isolated terrain features, shallow slabs or loose snow snow sloughs could be initiated. Watch for areas in extreme terrain where a small amount of moving snow could knock you off your feet and result in severe consequences.

The new snow that coated the mountains yesterday fell upon hard crust and faceted snow, including surface hoar. That snow fell with low densities (less than 5%) and was reactive in steep terrain above 9000’ although depths were very shallow with wind affected areas near ridges having depths of 2 to 6 inches. Even a few inches of moving snow can be consequential to someone ascending or descending a steep couloir or in very steep extreme terrain.  Tragic accidents have occurred in the Tetons in past years when avalanche activity is limited to new snow in isolated terrain features at high elevations.   It is prudent to be aware there is still hazard out there and to look for signs of instability or where new snow amounts are deeper.

The new snow will be less sensitive to movement today and given the generally cold temperatures, has already started to facet in most high elevation terrain.  Continue to monitor snow surfaces during this continued period of generally dry conditions. 

Observations are valuable even during periods of high pressure. Please feel free to submit one here.