Tetons

Generally safe avalanche conditions exist but watch for unstable snow in isolated terrain features. Steep, rocky areas at the upper elevations where the wind has stiffened the snow are the places to watch out for.  Normal caution and travelling through avalanche terrain one at a time is advised. 

A few inches of low density snow fell in the early morning hours yesterday. This snow did not bond well to the faceted snow surfaces from our mid November dry spell. Small, dry-loose sloughs are possible but cold northerly winds should help to lock this up.

Speaking of temperatures, thermometers are reading in the single digits or below zero this morning and a brisk north wind should develop throughout the day.

Steep, rocky slopes that were previously wind loaded are still the most likely places to trigger avalanches, especially at the upper elevations. The snowpack has had ample opportunity to facet out and lose strength throughout the mid November dry spell, especially on northern aspects. The snowpack remains generally right side up (hardness increases with depth) above the October snow line (November 2 layer). On some aspects the November 2 layer is moist and well bonded and in other areas it is noticeably weaker.

The snow surface from this most recent dry spell (along with the most recent stellars) will undoubtedly be the next weak layer of concern as we move into the future.