Tetons

The Tetons have received up to 3 feet of new snow since Thursday, forming surface slabs to 3 feet in depth, sensitive cornices, and sluffs capable of entraining large amounts of loose snow. It is possible for backcountry travelers to trigger these slides at the mid elevations, and likely at the upper elevations. Skiers have triggered several avalanches since Saturday, one resulting in a complete burial. Some potential remains for these slides to step down to deeper layers. Pockets of hard slab up to 3 feet in depth resting upon a base of weak, faceted snow could be triggered at the lower elevations in steep, wind-loaded starting zones.

Occasional light snow is forecasted overnight with lows around zero and northwest winds at 10 to 20 miles per hour. Tuesday a chance of light snow continues but periods of sunshine hold the potential to rapidly warm to the upper teens.Warming will rapidly weaken the snow pack. Over the past ten days the mountains have received seven feet of new snow. Temperatures have remained cold and the snow pack has not been through significant warming/cooling cycles. As warming of the snow surface occurs the possibility of people easily triggering, or natural occurring slides will increase. Slides have the potential to pull out large amounts of the recent snow and build to dangerous size. The general avalanche hazard is expected to to be Considerable Tuesday and will rise rapidly with sun exposure.