Tetons

Yesterday, a snowmobiler was killed after triggering a slide while highmarking on Grouse Mountain in the Togwotee Pass region. Skiers also triggered four slides in the Tetons. Additional information can be found on today’s Togwotee forecast and on the avalanche events map page. At the mid and upper elevations, backcountry travelers could trigger recently developed wind slabs one to two feet in depth in very steep, wind loaded terrain. These slides might step down into older snow up to an additional three feet. The hazard will rise during the day as new snow and increasing westerly winds create new soft slabs and add weight to existing instabilities. Yesterday’s tragic event illustrates the potential consequences of getting caught in one of these slides and caution remains warranted. At the lower elevations, avalanches are unlikely except in very steep, wind loaded terrain where skiers or riders might be able to trigger an isolated pocket of shallow wind slab.

Skies will be cloudy overnight with some light snow or flurries as the next Pacific storm system approaches. On Wednesday snowfall will increase in intensity and become heavy at times. Accumulations of 8 to 15 inches are possible by Thursday morning. This snowfall will be accompanied by strong west-southwest winds at 30 to 40 with gusts to near 60 miles per hour. Mountain temperatures will be in the single digits and teens.The strong winds and new snow will create new soft slabs on leeward aspects and increase the load on existing areas of instability. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE in the early morning hours and will increase to CONSIDERABLE as the day progresses. In steep wind loaded terrain dangerous dense slab avalanches up to three feet in depth will become increasingly sensitive to human triggers. In some areas these slabs may have potential to step down into older layers. Natural avalanche activity may develope.