Tetons

The General Avalanche Hazard is LOW at all elevations this morning and will rise to MODERATE above 7,500 later in the day. As the day warms, wet loose, sloughs and surface slabs up to 3 feet will become easier to trigger. Yesterday evening a skier triggered a 2 to 3 foot slab in Darby Canyon on a Westerly aspect around 10,000 feet. He was carried 1,500 vertical feet, buried four feet deep, and did not survive. Our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends. Clearing skies late in the day and warm temperatures likely played a role in this event. Backcountry travelers need to pay attention to the signs of significant warming, and alter their plans accordingly. These signs progress from sunballs, to pinwheels, to wet-loose sloughs.

Mostly cloudy skies with a slight chance of light, scattered snow showers are expected for the next 24 hours. Mountain temperatures are forecasted to drop into the mid 20s overnight before rebounding into the low 40s on Monday. Westerly ridgecrest winds are projected to range from 20 to 30 mph. The General Avalanche Hazard in the Teton Range is expected to be LOW on Monday morning and then rising to MODERATE later in the day. As the day warms, wet loose, sloughs and surface slabs up to 3 feet will become more easily triggered.The General Avalanche Hazard in the Continental Divide/Togwotee Pass area is expected to remain MODERATE on Monday. There, the primary concern is lingering, deep-slab instabilities. While the chance of triggering a deep, hard slab is unlikely, the consequences are severe. These slabs will become more susceptible to failure along with the possibility of wet, loose sloughs as the day progresses.The General Avalanche Hazard in the Southwest Trails/Greys River area is also expected to remain MODERATE. In addition to similar concerns that exist in the Togwotee Pass area, recently developed soft slabs up to a foot in depth could be human triggered in wind-loaded starting zones. The slabs, along with wet, loose sloughs, will become less stable as the day warms, and could sweep backcountry travelers over cliff bands or into terrain traps.