JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — Despite being treated to some juicy spring weather over the past few weeks, spring will be a no-show this week.
In fact, winter driving conditions abound on many area roads, especially those over mountain passes. Avalanche danger is on the rise as well, with the afternoon forecast for Teton and Greys River showing CONSIDERABLE after spending much of the past month at MODERATE.
“Upside-down” is the term forecaster use when describing the snowpack right now, and it’s expected to get only worse as another 8-10” of new snow is expected over the next 24 hours above 8,000 feet.
“New snow and wind has formed slabs that will become increasingly sensitive to human triggers today,” read today’s Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center forecast for the Teton Range. “With more snow expected along with increasing temperatures, expect slabs to become easily triggered in steep terrain. While natural avalanches are less likely, it will be important to pay attention to changing conditions and assess the new snow for signs of instability. Recent avalanches, shooting cracks and ‘whoompfing’ are clear indicators that it is time to choose more conservative terrain.”
Additional heads up for skinners: Grand Targhee Resort will be closed to all uphill traffic until Thursday April 14 as the resort performs end-of-season operations.
For Greys River, it is much the same.
“New snow amounts over the last 24 hours range from 6-8”. Snow densities are light, in the 6-8% range. New snow amounts during the day today will be in the 3-5” range and be higher in density,” read the BTAC forecast for today. “This will help to create ‘upside down’ conditions and make triggering more likely as the new snow accumulates.”
With some area golf courses prepping for an early opening and American Legion baseball set to kick off this weekend in Jackson, Mother Nature is calling for a mulligan and throwing yet another curve ball at us. The weather forecast calls for winter-like conditions all week with highs struggling to get out of the 30s, overnight lows in the upper teens, and snow on the way for tonight, tomorrow, Thursday and Friday. Yeesh!
