Tetons

The general avalanche hazard on steep slopes with old snow is low, however it may increase in areas that receive more new snow. During the past several days a weak layer of surface hoar formed on old snow surfaces. Those old snow surfaces and layers below those surfaces are comprised of a mix of faceted snow and crusts. On very steep slopes new snow may become deep enough to start sloughing off of the interface between the new and the old snow. In isolated areas on the leeward sides of the higher ridge lines small pockets of new soft slab could begin to form in areas that receive significant additional new snow. IF enough new snow falls and winds begin to create these soft slabs they are likely to be easily triggered by humans and could dig down into the older snow. In the highest peaks of the Teton Range shallow new snow sloughs and shallow wind slabs could release naturally from hanging snowfields and cliff areas. Monitor conditions for increasing hazard.

The snowfall is moving eastward. Another inch or two of snow could fall before sunrise. We will be in-between storm systems on Tuesday. Skies should become partly cloudy. Temperatures will be in the single digits and teens. Winds will be light and back from the northeast to the southwest.The new snow has fallen on slick old snow surfaces and areas of bare ground. On steep slopes the new snow could slide on those old snow surfaces. In the Teton and Greys River forecast zones there were only a few inches of new snow and therefor the general avalanche hazard in those areas will be low. The hazard will be moderate at the higher elevations in the Togwotee Pass area where more new snow fell, and the old snow cover was more extensive. Up there, skiers and riders could trigger loose snow sloughs and pockets of fresh wind slab up to a foot in depth on very steep slopes.