Tetons

The General Avalanche Hazard is MODERATE at the Mid and Upper elevations and LOW at the Lower elevations. Cold temperatures have led to little change in the snowpack. Surface slabs up to two feet in depth, which lie atop suncrusts and buried surface hoar, remain susceptible to human triggers on steep, wind loaded slopes. While no avalanche activity was reported yesterday, similar slides were set off earlier in the week. These slabs have the potential of carrying skiers or riders into terrain traps or over cliff bands. At the lower elevations avalanches are unlikely.

Dry conditions are expected to continue on Sunday as the regions stays under the influence of cold arctic air. Overnight lows in the mountains should dip down to near negative 10 as the valley plummets to near 20 below zero. Daytime highs are expected to be in the single digits at all elevations. Ridgecrest winds are forecasted to be light at 5 to 15 mph out of the Northwest.Cold temperatures have led to little change in the snowpack. Two avalanche scenarios remain possible on Sunday. First, surface slabs one to three feet in depth, which rest atop suncrusts and buried surface hoar, remain susceptible to human triggers. These slides have the potential of carrying skiers or riders into terrain traps or over cliff bands. The second avalanche problem is deep slab instability, which is most problematic in the shallow, continental snowpacks of the Togwotee Pass and Greys River regions. These deep hard slabs, which carry severe consequences, could be initiated by skiers, riders, large groups, or smaller surface slabs.