Tetons

Low hazard does not mean no hazard. As the day warms at the higher elevations, abundant sunshine will bring about the chance for very shallow wet loose slides involving the recent snowfall. Clear skies overnight allowed for a hard freeze of surface and near surface crusts, and avalanche activity below these crusts should be unlikely. However, if crusts break down and unconsolidated snow exists underneath, backcountry travelers should transition to colder terrain. Skiers and riders might also be able to trigger an isolated pocket of shallow wind slab on very steep, wind-loaded slopes near upper elevation ridgelines. This hazard may be greater above an elevation of 10,500 feet. Areas where these small slabs have formed should be avoided if the potential exists for slides to sweep backcountry travelers over cliff bands or into terrain traps.

Cloud cover will continue to increase overnight as zonal flow aloft develops. An embedded Pacific weather disturbance will begin to bring scattered showers to the area in the early morning hours and continue through the evening. The light precipitation will be in the form of valley rain and mountain snow with the rain line between 7,000 and 7,500 feet. Overnight lows in the mountains will drop to near 20 before rising into the upper 20s during the day. Valley temperatures will be around freezing by the early morning hours before climbing into the low 40s in the afternoon. Southwesterly to westerly ridgetop winds will range from 5 to 15 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be LOW on Sunday. Cloud cover and cooler temperatures should keep the threat of wet loose slides at bay. In high elevation terrain near ridgelines, skiers and riders might be able to trigger an isolated pocket of shallow wind slab on very steep, mostly shaded slopes. Up there, avoid recently wind loaded slopes if the consequences of being caught in a slide could result in being swept over cliff bands or into terrain traps. Light winds are expected with modest snowfall, and the threat from new soft slabs should be minimal. However, if stronger winds and more significant snowfall occurs, monitor the possible development of new slabs.