At the mid and upper elevations 12 to 18 inches of snow from the storm ending Saturday was pushed by strong southwest to westerly winds creating soft slabs on lee slopes. With frontal passage the winds shifted to northwesterly as snow continued to fall. Cold temperatures and settlement may make avalanches more difficult to trigger but with early season conditions even small slides can carry serious consequences. Avalanches are unlikely at the lower elevations.
At mid and upper elevations backcountry users have the potential to trigger soft slabs to three feet in depth on steep, lee slopes. Cold temperatures may make slides more resistant to release and require larger triggers such as snow machines, or more than one skier at a time on a slope.
Light snow is expected overnight with 2 - 3 inches of accumulation by Monday morning. The moisture in a northwest flow will bring another 4 to 5 inches to the Tetons during the day Monday. Less snow is forecasted for the Togwotee Pass area and the Greys River/Wyoming Range areas. Morning temperatures at 9500 feet will be near zero then warm during the day into the teens. On the valley floor temperatures will rise to the mid 20s. Ridge top winds will be westerly at 25 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Moderate. Backcountry travelers will be able to trigger soft slab avalanches to three feet in depth on steep, avalanche-prone terrain. Steep chutes and areas in or or below cliff bands should be avoided. Careful evaluation of features of concern is necessary for safe travel in avalanche terrain.
