Tetons

In steep, wind-loaded terrain at the high and mid elevations skiers and riders may trigger recently formed soft slabs to depths of two feet. Yesterday skiers easily triggered a two foot deep soft slab off steep, rocky north-northwest slopes near the summit of Taylor Peak. Similar events should be expected today from active loading near ridge tops and in chutes. Periods of sunshine will create the possibility of human triggered or natural loose slides. Avalanches are unlikely at low elevations.

A new system will move into the region Tuesday night with light snow and winds from the west at 20 miles per hour. The brunt of the snowfall with the storm will come Wednesday afternoon. Mountain temperatures will reach the upper 20s and westerly ridge-top winds will increase from 15 miles per hour in the morning to 30 in the late evening. Total accumulations could be 6 to 12 inches in the Tetons, 5 to 10 inches in the Southwest Trails area and 4 to 8 inches around Togwotee Pass.The general avalanche hazard will be Moderate across the region, increasing through the day. The new snow will fall on sun crusts on all but very northerly exposures. Reported slides to two feet in depth are running on density breaks or the sun crusts and similar events are expected Wednesday. People in extreme terrain will be able to trigger deep slabs, particularly on slopes that now have thin cover over rocky areas where the thinner snow rests on loose, faceted snow. The thinner snowpack is much less stable than the lower angle terrain this forecast covers.