Tetons

Inverted temperatures developed overnight, and the mountains are starting out around 5 degrees warmer than yesterday. The snowpack is mostly stable this morning. Skiers and riders might be able to trigger a small, isolated pocket of wind slab in steep, shaded terrain near upper elevation ridgelines. As the day warms, the chance for shallow wet slides will return on sunlit aspects. While small, these slides have the potential to sweep backcountry travelers over cliff bands or carry them down very steep, sustained couloirs. Avoid this type of terrain during the heat of the day. Deeper wet slides could become possible if underlying crusts become unsupportable. If this starts to occur, transition to shaded slopes.

Aside from today’s winds the powerful storm system that will bring blizzard conditions to areas of central and southeast Wyoming is not expected to significantly impact Western Wyoming. Some light snowfall is possible in the southern and eastern portions of our forecast region. On Sunday skies will be partly cloudy. Temperatures will drop into the upper teens and low 20’s overnight and will rise into the 30’s and 40’s. Winds will back from the northeast to the north and decrease to 5 to 15 miles per hour. In all areas the potential for wet slides to occur on very steep slopes and in cliff areas will increase as the day warms. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be low in the Teton area. In the Togwotee Pass and Greys River areas some potential remains for large triggers, like snowmachines or cornice failures, to trigger deep persistent slab avalanches on some steep avalanche prone slopes. These dangerous slabs could be 3 to 5 feet deep. The general avalanche hazard in those areas is expected to be moderate.