An avalanche warning is in effect. Avalanche conditions are very dangerous. Large natural avalanche events are likely on a variety of aspects. Human triggered avalanches are very likely. Widespread natural avalanche activity is possible. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. Teton County Search & Rescue volunteers are currently in the process of responding to a backcountry incident that is non-avalanche related. Rescue resources are limited and hampered by road closures and poor road and flight conditions.
Up to two feet of new snow has fallen since Saturday, and more is on the way. Strong west to southwest winds and increasing temperatures have accompanied this snowfall and resulted in unstable conditions. Wind slabs, with depths of two to four feet, will be easily triggered on steep slopes, and natural activity is likely. These slides may run long distances.
Up to two inches of snow water equivalent has been added to a snowpack with poor structure. Large to very large persistent slab avalanches could fail naturally or be easily triggered by humans. These dangerous slab avalanches could be up to six feet deep at the higher elevations and up to three feet deep at the lower elevations.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Steady moderate to heavy snowfall is forecast to continue through Tuesday. Snowfall rates of 2 inches per hour are expected tonight. New snowfall totals for the next 24 hours are forecast to be as much as 2 feet in the mountains and a foot in the valleys. This snow will be denser than it has been so far during this storm cycle. Temperatures on Tuesday will rise into the mid-20s at 10,000 feet and into the mid to upper 30s in the valleys. Strong southwest to west winds at 25 to 35 with gusts to 55 miles per hour will accompany this snowfall.An avalanche warning is in effect until 6 AM tomorrow morning for the Teton Range and Yellowstone National Park. If the weather forecast verifies that avalanche warning will be extended. An avalanche watch is in effect for the remaining areas in our forecast region. If the weather forecast verified that avalanche watch will be upgraded to an avalanche warning by 6 AM tomorrow morning. Avalanche conditions are expected to be very dangerous at all elevations in all of our forecast areas on Tuesday. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be high and may rise to extreme in the Teton forecast area. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended during periods of high avalanche hazard. Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of extreme hazard. Large to very large natural avalanche activity is likely and could become widespread. Impacts to roadways are likely. Impacts to urban areas are possible, especially during the warmest portion of the day.
