Tetons

As temperatures have warmed, so has the snow/rain line. Early this morning rain was falling to nearly 9000 feet with wet snow falling above that elevation. Generally, this moisture has further strengthened the shallow early season snowpack. Low hazard does not mean no hazard and small isolated pockets of new shallow slabs could be found in wind loaded terrain features above 9500 feet. Backcountry travelers are urged to use caution in a shallow snowpack with abundant rocks and stumps just under the snow surface. SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Long-time avalanche center director Bob Comey is getting hitched today. We wish Bob and Liz the best in the many years to come!

More unsettled weather tonight as showers bring a mix of rain and snow to the Tetons and Togwotee areas. The snow line should remain in the vicinity of 9,000’. Shower activity should ramp up in the early morning hours tonight and continue through the afternoon on Sunday with another 1-3” of snow likely above about 9,000’. Expect southwest wind 14-17 mph gusting to 25 mph as showers wrap up around mid-day. Stability concerns will be minimal due to the mostly-settled snowpack and the small amount of snow that is forecast to fall. You may again see rollerballs and other signs of heat induced instability tomorrow near the freeze-line. These signs might ordinarily ring alarm bells if the snowpack was more developed, which is not the case now. Anticipate low avalanche hazard again tomorrow with a greater risk of injury due to the various obstacles just submerged in the thin snowpack than due to any small avalanche you could trigger in isolated areas.