Tetons

The snowpack is mostly stable this morning. Shallow pockets of soft slab could be triggered in steep, wind-loaded starting zones at upper elevations. A four foot deep slab was released in Unskiabowl, north of Teton Pass, late Sunday from a very steep, rocky area. Sunshine and forecasted very warm temperatures will make any slabs more susceptible to failure. Backcountry travelers, falling cornices or snow perched on rocky areas could start wet-loose slides that could build to dangerous size this afternoon on sunlit slopes.

The upper level ridge will continue to dominate the weather through Thursday. Clear skies will allow mountain temperatures to drop to the mid teens Tuesday night then sunshine will raise Wednesday highs to near freezing or above. Thermal inversions will bring morning lows on the valley floors to below zero then rise to the low twenties.Sunlit exposures will again have increasing potential Wednesday for natural or user caused wet-loose slides on steep, sunlit aspects above 8500 feet. The avalanche hazard is expected to start at Low then climb to Moderate as the snow warms. Cool temperatures below 8500 feet will keep the avalanche hazard at Low.