Togwotee Pass

The general avalanche hazard is LOW today. Below 8,500 feet shallow accumulations of new snow lie upon bare ground and avalanches are unlikely. Above 9,000 feet strong winds have formed shallow new soft slabs on old snow surfaces. Backcountry users must evaluate avalanche terrain for stability as the new snow safety has not been test yet this season. Steep wind loaded upper elevation avalanche starting zones could trigger isolated pockets of new soft slabs up to 12 inches deep. Caution is advised on steep slopes underlain by old snow surfaces with fresh deposits of wind deposited snow.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Skies will be mostly sunny with daytime mountain temperatures in the upper twenties. Winds on the ridgecrests will be northwesterly at 20 miles per hour. The General Avalanche Hazard is expected to be LOW. Backcountry travelers venturing into very steep wind loaded upper-elevation avalanche starting zones or cliff areas could trigger isolated pockets of slabs up to 12 inches in depth. If triggered these isolated pockets could sweep them into terrain traps, over cliff bands, or into rocky areas with little to no snow.