Tetons

Conditions are still dangerous at the mid and upper elevations where snow that fell last week lies upon faceted old snow layers. Persistent weak layers continue to fail due to the weight of single person. This snowpack should not be trusted. Dangerous slab avalanches could be triggered remotely. Tracks on a slope should not be considered to be an indication of stability. Excellent terrain evaluation and route selection skills, a comprehensive understanding of the distribution of persistent weak layers and conservative terrain choices are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain. Avalanches are unlikely at the lower elevations and in areas at the mid elevations where last week's new snow lies directly upon bare ground.

Periods of moderate to heavy snowfall will develop overnight and continue into the day before gradually ending Sunday night. Southwest winds will increase to 20 to 25 with gusts to 35, begin to veer to the northwest and create areas of blowing snow. Temperatures in the mountains will remain in the 20’s until after the passage of a cold front tomorrow evening. New snow and strong winds will be creating dangerous and increasing avalanche hazards. At the mid and upper elevations, the danger rating is expected to be considerable and on the increase. New snow and drifting snow could cause natural avalanche activity on buried persistent weak layers and be increasing the likelihood for humans to trigger large to very large slab avalanches. On leeward aspects strong winds southwest winds will be forming new soft slabs. The general avalanche hazard at the lower elevations is expected to be low but also on the increase. Safe travel in avalanche terrain will require excellent terrain and route-finding skills, a comprehensive understanding of the distribution of the November drought surface and conservative terrain choices.