Togwotee Pass

A snowpack with poor structure is prevalent across the forecast area. New snow will be increasing the load on persistent weak layers and will create unstable conditions on steep slopes. The potential for humans to trigger large slab avalanches and for those slabs to release naturally will be increasing. At the highest elevations small pockets of new wind slab will begin to form on leeward aspects. Expert snowpack evaluation and route selection skills are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A winter storm warming is in effect for the Teton Range and a winter weather advisory is in effect for the Salt River Range, Wyoming Range, Wind River Range and the western valleys for tonight through Friday morning.Light snowfall will continue over the region tonight and will increase in the morning and possibly become heavy by mid-morning. That snowfall will again become light to moderate in the afternoon and evening. Forecast snowfall amounts are 4 to 6 inches in the valleys, 6 to 10 inches in the mountain. Higher amounts are possible in the Teton Range. Temperatures will be in the teens and 20s. Winds will be from the southwest to west at 20 with gusts to 35 miles per hour.New snow and winds are expected to create dangerous avalanche conditions on steep slopes and increase the general avalanche hazard to considerable. New soft slabs are expected to grow to depths of 1 to 2 feet. These slabs are likely to be sensitive to human triggers and may release naturally. In steep areas with poor snow structure large slab avalanches that step down into the old snow and fail on persistent weak layers could be triggered by humans with depths from 2 to 4 feet. Monitor conditions for increasing hazards. Excellent snowpack evaluation and route selection skills will be essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain.