Tetons

Yesterday afternoon, ridgetop northwesterly winds increased into the teens and then, overnight into the 20s with gusts in the 30s and 40s. Snowfall from this week has been transported onto leeward slopes forming small wind slabs 6 to 12 inches in depth. Skiers and riders could trigger these slabs at the upper elevations on steep avalanche terrain and in isolated pockets at the mid-elevations. Clearing skies and warming temperatures forecasted for today will increase the sensitivity of these slabs and loose snow slides. Beneath this week’s snow, are firm melt-freeze crusts, and as the dry snow becomes damp it could easily slide on these surfaces. At the mid-elevations, as temperatures rise above freezing, small loose snow slides could be easily triggered and entrain dense destructive debris. Natural small wet slides will also be possible on steep sunlit slopes. In exposed terrain and above terrain traps, these small avalanches could have very dangerous outcomes. Backcountry travelers should monitor the daily warming and avoid steep terrain as the snow surfaces transition from dry to damp.

Today’s northwest flow will shift east as high pressure moves in from the west. Skies will be mostly clear. Temperatures will drop to near 20 degrees by daybreak. Sunday will be warm with temperatures that will rise into the mid 30’s at the upper elevations. Southwest winds will steadily increase in the afternoon.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be low in the morning. Warm temperatures and sunshine will increase the avalanche hazard to moderate in the afternoon. Dry snow avalanche hazards are limited shallow pockets of wind slab at the higher elevations and loose snow sloughs in very steep slopes. Those slabs could be 6 to 12 inches deep. As the day warms the wet snow avalanche hazard will increase on steep sunlit slopes. Monitor conditions for increasing wet snow hazards and get off and out from under steep slopes during the warmest portion of the day.