Tetons

At 5 AM this morning, mountain temperatures are about 10 degrees warmer than yesterday. The general avalanche hazard will begin Low, but as the day warms the wet snow avalanche hazard is expected to increase. Sunshine and significant warming could cause snow surfaces to destabilize and result in wet snow avalanches. These above freezing temperatures will also increase the potential for cornices to fail. At the lowest elevations, where an unstable, isothermal snowpack has formed avalanche prove slopes should be avoided. Roof slides are also possible. Backcountry travelers should monitor the warming conditions and avoid being on or below steep slopes as they become wet.

Expect mostly clear skies overnight and through midday before cloud cover begins to increase ahead of an approaching Pacific trough and associated front. Light mountains snow and valley rain could begin late in the afternoon. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the low 20s before rising to near freezing in the afternoon. Southerly to southwesterly ridgetop winds will ranged from 15 to 25 miles per hour.After a hard freeze overnight, the general avalanche hazard is expected to be Low at all elevations on Saturday. If skies remain mostly sunny into the afternoon, the chance for small wet slides could develop. Monitor the impact of the sun, and transition to shaded terrain if crusts break down and snow surfaces start to become wet.