Tetons

Grand Teton National Park closed Garnet Canyon from Bradley Lake to the top of the North and South Forks for 24 hours at 1 AM this morning. Avalanche mitigation efforts are planned to protect personnel searching for two missing skiers. The general avalanche hazard will quickly increase during the morning hours from MODERATE to CONSIDERABLE at the upper elevations and from LOW to MODERATE at the mid elevations. Dangerous slabs up to five feet deep lie upon a variety of crusts. The potential for these slabs and wet loose slides to release naturally or be triggered by humans will significantly increase as temperatures rise. Greater hazard should be expected in the highest peaks of the Tetons in the afternoon where the hazard is expected to increase to HIGH. Travel on or under avalanche prone terrain is not advised after significant warming has occurred.

On Sunday skies will be mostly sunny with a chance of mountain snow showers. Mountain temperatures will rise into the 30s. Winds will veer from the east-southeast to the southwest.At the upper elevations (9,000 to 10,500) the general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE in the morning hours and increase to CONSIDERABLE as the day warms. Soft surface slabs and dense older slabs up to four feet in depth lie upon a variety of buried crusts. The sensitivity of these slabs to human triggers will increase as the day progresses. At the mid elevations (9,000 to 7,500 feet) the general avalanche hazard is expected to be LOW in the morning hours and increase to MODERATE as the day warms. The hazard is expected to be LOW below an elevation of 7,500 feet.