Tetons

Areas of unstable snow exist at the upper elevations where two avalanche problems confront backcountry users. First, dense slabs up to 30 inches deep lie upon a weak, faceted layer on sheltered, northerly aspects. Second, strong southwest winds over the past three days have loaded avalanche starting zones along ridgelines creating pockets of soft slab up to 1 foot in depth. Backcountry travelers still have some potential of triggering either of these slabs in steep, wind-loaded starting zones and caution is advised. Below 9,000 feet, a shallow snowpack quickly transitions to bare ground and avalanche activity is unlikely.

Snow is forecasted to to increase Monday night and Tuesday then taper to snow showers by Tuesday afternoon with mountain accumulations of 5 to 8 inches. Mountain temperatures will plummet Monday evening and night with lows in the single digits by Tuesday morning then climbing only into the teens Tuesday. Winds will be westerly at 15 miles per hour.In the Teton area Tuesday, the General Avalanche Hazard is MODERATE at the upper elevations where pockets of slabs could be triggered by backcountry users. The chance of triggering new, soft surface slabs will increase with wind and snowfall. The General Avalanche Hazard is LOW in the shallower snowpacks of the Greys River and Togwotee Pass regions.