Tetons

Up to a foot of new snow and continued heavy snowfall is being moved by westerly winds developing easily triggered, dangerous soft slabs to three feet or more in depth on avalanche prone terrain at mid and upper elevations. The new slabs are building on a weak base of up to two feet of light density snow that will not support loading. Cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making are essential today. At low elevations the hazard is increasing and people could trigger soft slabs or sloughs in steep areas such as ravines or road cuts.

Moderate to heavy snowfall is expected overnight and through Wednesday. Accumulations of another 20 inches of snow is possible by Wednesday evening. Temperatures will warm to near freezing at upper elevations and rain is possible at lower elevations. Winds will continue westerly and increase to 40 mile per hour averages with stronger gusts through the day. Easily triggered or naturally releasing slabs will continue to grow in size and distribution. Warming temperatures will add to this lethal combination and increase the chance of avalanches. People who travel on avalanche terrain or in run-out zones should expect to be caught in avalanches. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be HIGH in the Tetons and Greys River areas.At low elevations rain will rapidly overwhelm the weak snowpack. Natural, heavy and dangerous slides will be possible in steep areas like road cuts, ravines or from roof tops.In the Togwotee Pass area the hazard is expected to be Moderate. Concern continues in this area that a person may release a deeper, hard slab avalanche to three feet in depth on steep, upper elevation slide paths. There will also be an increasing chance for backcountry travelers to release new, soft slab avalanches with forecasted new snow and strong winds.