In the mountains, the snowpack is mostly stable this morning. As the day warms, the possibility of wet slides could return on solar aspects if extended periods of sunshine occur. Skiers and riders might also be able to trigger a shallow, isolated pocket of dry soft slab on very steep, high elevation, north facing slopes. Overnight, temperatures remained above freezing at the lower elevations, and valley rain during the day will keep the threat of wet slides alive where the snowpack persists. Get an early start, monitor the warmup and be willing to alter your travel plans if conditions warrant. If your roof still has snow, it has the potential of sliding. Grand Teton National Park has extended its bighorn sheep winter habitat closure on Mount Hunt and in the Prospector Mountain/Static Peak area from April 1 until April 30. Please respect these closures.
As the day warms, the chance for wet slides will be on the increase. Shallow wet loose sluffs involving the recent snowfall may become possible in the mountains. Lower down where the snowpack is close to being isothermal, wet slides could gouge down to the ground and possibly release as a wet slab. Any breaks in cloud cover will contribute to this problem.
On Monday a Pacific weather system will continue to bring light snowfall to the mountains and rain showers below an elevation of 7,500 feet. In the mountains temperatures will be in the mid-20s overnight and will rise above freezing during the day. Valleys are expected to remain above freezing and rise into the 50s. Southwesterly to westerly ridgetop winds will be 20 to 30 miles per hour. The general avalanche hazard above 7,500 feet is expected to be low Monday morning. Depending on cloud cover, the sun could cause conditions to become unstable as weak crusts will quickly break down. Warm temperatures and valley rain will create wet snow avalanche hazards below an elevation of 7,500 feet.
