A warm, atmospheric river continues to affect the west and is currently dumping its payload on the Tetons where snowfall rates are projected to reach the 2″/hour range by the end of day.
Related:Â Sierra Summits Could See Up To 7+ FEET | Colder Temps By Mid-Week
Right now, the precipitation is coming as a wintry mix in the valley and as heavy snow at the higher elevations. The new snow should go a long way towards healing massive avalanche debris deposits left by the storm that knocked out power in Teton Village earlier this month.
“Another winter storm will move into western Wyoming this afternoon bringing heavy snow, breezy winds, and blowing snow once again to the mountains” – NWS Riverton
The storm is set to cool off starting Tuesday night and that famous cowboy powder for which Wyoming is known should be abundant from Wednesday till Saturday.
COWBOY UP!
Forecasted Snowfall Totals:
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort – 35″
Grand Targhee – 29″
Snow King – 17″
Winter Storm Warning
…A strong Pacific storm will bring heavy snow to the western mountains from this Afternoon through Tuesday night…
Southwest flow aloft with a deep pineapple connection moisture plume entering western Wyoming will continue to produce periods of moderate to heavy snow with strong winds at ridge top and pass level. Prolonged periods of 2 inch an hour snowfall is expected. Temperatures will cool Tuesday night with a gradual decrease in snowfall into Wednesday morning. Winter storm warning will remain in effect until early wednesday morning. Tetons still look good for a 30 inch snowfall while the rest of the western mountains
should be in the 15 to 25 inch range. Valleys still look warm enough for mainly rain to rain snow mix until Tuesday evening when temperatures cool and precipitation should change over to snow for the last 12 hours of the storm. Some light snow will continue with low accumulations Wednesday and Wednesday night with much colder temperatures.
…WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM MST WEDNESDAY…
* Timing…Snow and strong winds have moved into the Teton and Gros Ventre mountains of Wyoming. Snow and wind are expected to continue through Tuesday night.
* Snowfall Accumulation…15 to 25 inches are expected, with amounts up to 30 inches in the Teton mountains.
* Wind and Visibility…West to southwest winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 60 mph…especially in open areas or mountain summits. Visibility frequently below a quarter mile in heavy snow and blowing snow.
* Main Impact…Travel will become very difficult with the wind and snow producing slick, snow-packed roads along with high drifts over mountain passes. Please monitor JHAVALANCHE.ORG if your plans include travel into the backcountry. Also, the severely reduced visibility will be very disorientating for those recreating in the backcountry.
Avalanche Advisory (Tetons)
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning starting noon today and continuing through 5 AM on Wednesday. Yesterday, a skier triggered a 16-inch soft slab in the backcountry south of the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. He was briefly carried, but escaped unharmed. Shallow wet slides were also triggered on Teton Pass. Similar avalanches could be triggered today. The hazard will increase this afternoon after new snow begins to accumulate. Monitor the degree to which snow surfaces are melting at the lower elevations, and the rate of afternoon loading at the higher elevations.
Find up-to-date avalanche advisories here: Bridger Teton Avalanche Center