Tetons

The avalanche danger will be Low today. The passing system has deposited up to four inches of snow in the northern Tetons and at Grand Targhee. Wind speeds were 5-15mph from the west. The new snow will not change the overall stability of the snowpack. Today as temperatures increase, the new snow may heat up and sluff on steeper slopes. Aspects on the southerly half of the compass will warm rapidly. On solar aspects below 9,500ft the melt freeze crust is approximately 16” thick. It may be possible today for this crust to break down completely making the snowpack unsupportive. Be prepared to move off of steep terrain as snow surfaces weaken and plan exit routes accordingly. On steep, northerly aspects above 9,000ft, persistent weak layers buried one to three feet deep still exist though the likelihood of triggering is very unlikely. Though the danger is Low, do not get complacent. Do not get caught off guard by rapidly changing snow conditions and by colder snow on the northerly half of the compass that has not transitioned to Spring. Avalanche danger may increase with daytime warming and direct sun.

Overnight lows will be in the low twenties at 8,000-9,000 feet, with daytime highs reaching into the mid thirties tomorrow. Skies will be mostly sunny with occasional scattered clouds. Winds will be light overnight out of the west at 10-15 mph and increase tomorrow afternoon out of the southwest at 15-30 mph.The avalanche danger will be Low at all elevations tomorrow. Sunshine and warming temperatures will help to loosen snow surfaces. Very shallow wet loose avalanches will be possible in steep sunlit terrain. These will be low in volume and generally easy to anticipate. Be on the lookout for surfaces as they become wet. Lingering issues deeper in the snowpack in the form of persistent weak layers exist in steep upper elevation shaded terrain but are unlikely to be triggered tomorrow. Remember that Low danger does not mean ‘no’ danger. Pay attention to conditions and make adjustments to your plan if you encounter these exceptions to an otherwise stable snowpack.