Tetons

Temperatures are starting out 5 to 10 degrees warmer than yesterday morning. On steep, wind loaded slopes at the upper elevations, the chance for skiers and riders to trigger wind slabs ranging in depth from 12 to 18 inches will increase as the day warms. These slabs reside above stout melt-freeze crusts which provide good sliding surfaces. Wet slides may develop before noon on very steep, sunlit aspects at the mid and upper elevations. The underlying melt-freeze crusts could enable these slides to travel long distances and entrain significant amounts of wet snow. Get an early start, monitor warming temperatures and the impact of the sun, and have a plan to safely descend before snow surfaces become wet. The lower elevation snowpack has undergone numerous melt-freeze cycles and is mostly stable. With the backcountry remaining crowded, strict social distancing protocols are essential.

Expect skies to clear overnight followed by mostly sunny conditions as a ridge of high pressure starts to move into the region from the west. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the low 20s before climbing to near 40 in the afternoon. Westerly to northwesterly ridgetop winds will range from 5 to 15 miles per hour.On Monday, the general avalanche hazard is expected to be Low at all elevations in the early morning hours and then rise to Moderate before noon. Above 9,000 feet, backcountry travelers might be able to trigger an isolated pocket of dry slab in very steep terrain that has not been impacted by the sun. The chance for wet slides will return as warm temperatures and abundant sunshine quickly heat snow surfaces. Get an early start and have a plan to safely return to the parking lot before snow surfaces become wet. The backcountry remains crowded, and strict social distancing protocols should be followed.