Tetons

Both natural and human triggered avalanches are likely today at the mid and upper elevations. Soft slabs up to three feet deep, along with loose snow sluffs, have the potential to entrain large amounts of new snow creating very dangerous avalanche conditions. Yesterday, a skier was injured in Granite Canyon after triggering a small slab that carried him around 1,000 feet. TRAVEL IN AVALANCHE TERRAIN IS NOT RECOMMENDED ABOVE 7,500 FEET. At the lower elevations, backcountry travelers could trigger soft slabs up to 18 inches on steep, wind loaded slopes.

A chance for light scattered flurries remains through Tuesday. Overnight lows in the mountains will be near 10 degrees before rising into the teens during the day. Ridgetop winds will back through the southwest to the southeast at 5 to 15 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be CONSIDERABLE in the Tetons and Southwest Trails area on Tuesday. Backcountry travelers venturing into steep, wind loaded avalanche terrain could trigger soft slabs one to two feet in depth along with loose snow sluffs in less wind affected areas. Use cautious route finding and avoid heavily wind loaded slopes.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE in the Togwotee Pass area. Skiers and riders could trigger soft slabs up to 18 inches in depth in steep, wind loaded avalanche terrain.In areas of the Southwest Trails and Togwotee Pass forecast zones where the snowpack is shallower, some potential persists for larger loads to trigger deeper hard slabs failing close to the base of the snowpack near cliff areas, ridge crests and cornices.