Tetons

The General Avalanche Hazard is LOW at all elevations this morning and will rise to MODERATE as the day warms. A second night with above freezing temperatures at Mid and Lower elevations has continued to weaken the snowpack. Crusts will soften through the day and the chance of wet loose slides will increase. Investigation by independent skiers of Saturday's accident in Darby Canyon found that persistent weak layers and warm temperatures in the Northwest facing, cross loaded slope were probable contributing factors in the slide. In the early afternoon yesterday the Cow of the Woods path in Hoback Canyon slid and blocked the road. The Hazard will vary by area depending on cloud cover, slope aspect and altitude. Start early, avoid run-out zones and be off sunlit slopes by afternoon.

As high pressure builds over the area, dry conditions are expected to continue on Thursday. Skies are to be mostly cloudy. Temperatures are too reach the upper twenties in the afternoon after dropping into the teens overnight. Ten to twenty mile per hour West winds are expected throughout the day.The general avalanche hazard for the Tetons is expected to be LOW on Thursday morning and will increase to Moderate in the afternoon where increasing temperatures and periods of sunshine soften the snow surface and allow the possibility for wet slide activity. MODERATE hazard is expected for the Togwotee Pass and Greys River areas as the remote chance of triggering slabs on buried weak layers of snow remains. The possibility of triggering these slides as well as wet slide activity will increase as warming occurs.