Tetons

The winter weather regime that brought 90 inches of snow to The Teton range since early February will rapidly change today. Clear skies and strong sunshine will further weaken the unstable snowpack increasing the hazard through the day. Large, natural avalanches from the higher peaks are possible in steep avalanche paths and the chance for natural and human triggered deep, dangerous slides will increase. Wet slides will be possible in steep, sunlit areas. TRAVEL ON OR BELOW AVALANCHE TERRAIN IS NOT RECOMMENDED TODAY.

High pressure will be over the region Sunday night and Monday with generally dry conditions. Temperatures at 9,500 feet will cool to the upper teens overnight then warm to the low 30s Monday. At low elevations morning lows will be similar with warmer daytime highs. Ridge top winds will be southwesterly at 25 miles per hour with stronger gusts.Snowpack stability will be very dependent on temperatures. On northerly, shaded slopes the chance of triggering slabs two to four feet in depth will continue in steep, avalanche-prone terrain. On all sunlit slopes the avalanche hazard will increase rapidly with direct sunlight. Wet-loose slides will be possible at lower elevations and human triggered slabs or slides started by snow falling from trees, cliffs or cornices will become more likely through the day. Small point slides have the potential to grow and pull out deeper slabs to four feet in depth on very steep slopes. The hazard is expected to be Moderate in the early morning hours then rise to Considerable as slopes receive direct sunlight. Avoid steep, sunlit slopes by late morning.