Tetons

The snowpack is mostly stable, and the Low hazard rating does NOT mean that there is no hazard. Yesterday, a skier was caught by a small avalanche in the Sliver Couloir in GTNP while ascending. Recent snow lies over facets and firm surfaces of crusts and wind pack. In steep avalanche terrain at the upper elevations, it will be possible to trigger small slabs or loose snow sluffs that may be more reactive as slopes receive direct sunlight. It is important to manage one’s exposure as a small slide in extreme terrain could knock you off your feet. At the lower elevations, avalanche activity is unlikely.

Skies will remain mostly clear overnight tonight. Valley inversions will re develop with low elevations dipping into the single digits. Winds will be out of the northwest and west at 20-25 mph. Valley inversions will break down and clouds will be on the increase later in the day. A few flurries are possible by day’s end with no measurable accumulation.In the Southwest Trails/Grey’s River and Teton areas the avalanche danger will remain Low. Isolated pockets of shallow wind slab, less than one foot in depth, will be possible to trigger in very steep upper elevation terrain. Elsewhere avalanches are unlikely. In the Togwotee Pass area the danger will remain Moderate above 8,500 feet, primarily for the possibility of triggering slab avalanches in the 2-4 foot range in very steep terrain.