Tetons

The general avalanche hazard is CONSIDERABLE at mid and upper elevations where 9" of snow and strong Westerly winds have created new surface slabs to 18" in depth on leeward slopes. These slabs could easily be triggered by backcountry users today on steep slopes and have the potential to pull out deeper slabs that lie upon older crusts and faceted snow. At the low elevations the hazard is MODERATE where small, shallow pockets of new snow could be triggered on steep wind loaded slopes. WYDOT reported that on Teton Pass there was avalanche activity at milepost 13, steep road cuts were active, and that teton pass parking lot would be temporarily closed.

Temperatures will remain below zero tonight at the high elevations, and raise into the single digits during the day. Wednesdays' winds will be relatively calm, and skies will be clear.AVALANCHE HAZARD FOR THE TETON AND THE TOGWOTEE PASS/CONTINENTAL DIVIDE AREASThe general avalanche hazard is expected to return to MODERATE at mid and upper elavations Wednesday. Backcountry users could trigger pockets of slab, 2-4 feet in depth that lie upon crusts and faceted snow. As the snowpack has become more stable in most areas, these sensitive pockets will be found on steep wind loaded slopes and often near rocky and cliff areas. These pockets may also be triggered by the second or later person to impact a slope. At low elevations isolated pockets of slab to two feet in depth could be triggered on the steepest wind loaded slopes. AVALANCHE HAZARD FOR GREYS RIVER/SOUTHWEST TRAILS AREA:The avalanche centers' instrumentation has not provided information for several days in this area. Weather observations, avalanche observations and reports have been insufficient to post an accurate avalanche bulletin. It is expected that dangerous potentially large avalanches could be human triggered as several feet of snow has fallen on a snowpack that just over a week ago had very well developed crusts, surface hoar, and faceted snow.Backcountry users are advised to consult area specific forecasts issued every morning as conditions and resultant hazard can sometimes change overnight due to unexpected weather developments.