Tetons

The storm ending Monday evening brought up to 30 inches of new snow to the Tetons. Southwest to westerly winds have created easily triggered soft slabs to three feet in depth on avalanche-prone lee slopes at upper and mid elevations. The new snow rests on slick sun crusts on sun exposed aspects and soft slabs or deep sloughs could be human triggered or run naturally on most slopes. Sunshine will rapidly stress the snowpack making slides more sensitive to triggers. Careful route-finding and conservative decision-making are essential for safe backcountry travel today. Avoid steep, sunlit slopes. The wet, isothermal snowpack at the lower elevations is capped by a firm crust from overnight, below freezing temperatures and should be mostly stable.

Spotty light snow is expected across the region Wednesday with accumulations of one to two inches. Mountain temperatures will warm to or above freezing and snow may change to rain by afternoon at lower elevations. Winds will be westerly at 25 miles per hour.Backcountry users may find slabs to two feet in depth on steep, lee slopes at upper elevations. Although the slides will likely be very soft slabs or sloughs they have the potential to entrain enough snow to be dangerous. The avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE. At elevations below 8,000 feet avalanches are unlikley due to the thick crusts.