Tetons

New snow and strong westerly winds in the past 36 hours have created dangerous avalanche conditions. The east slopes received around ten inches of new snow and the west side over 16 inches. Slabs to 24 inches in depth on lee slopes at upper elevations could be easily triggered by backcountry travelers. The storm snow began cold and warmed, creating an unstable, upside-down profile. At low elevations isolated pockets of loose snow sloughs could be triggered in steep areas like ravines or road cuts. Careful snowpack evaluation and conservative decision-making will be essential today.

Wednesday will be mostly clear with morning lows just below zero then warming to the mid teens in the Tetons and Southwest Trails areas. The Togwotee Pass area will see colder temperatures with minus 15 degree lows and highs near 10. Inversions will build in during the period with colder valley floor temperatures. A slight chance of snow flurries exists.At upper elevations backcountry users could trigger firm slab avalanches to 18 inches in depth in steep, wind loaded areas near ridges or under cliffs. The avalanche hazard will be MODERATE. At lower elevations the hazard will be LOW. Isolated pockets of slabs or sloughs could be user released in very steep areas.