Togwotee Pass

Temperature inversions strengthened overnight with the mountains starting out up to 20 degrees warmer than the valleys. On a southeast facing slope around 9,000 feet in Slate Creek, a three foot deep slab was remotely triggered or released naturally in the last few days. Yesterday, a snowmobiler triggered a three foot deep slab on a northeast facing aspect around 9,500 feet in the Salt River Range. He was caught, deployed an airbag and ended up on top. These events are good reminders that persistent slab avalanches remain a serious threat. Similar large persistent slabs could be triggered today above 8,000 feet. As the day warms, these slabs could become more sensitive to human triggers on slopes impacted by the sun. Cautious route finding and conservative decision-making are the best tools to mitigate this hazard. With the exception of steep, isolated terrain features, the snowpack is mostly stable below 8,000 feet.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Mostly clear skies will continue tonight and through the day on Sunday. Temperature inversions will strengthen overnight with the valleys dropping into the negative single digits. Mountain temperatures will fall to near 10 degrees tonight before climbing to around 20 degrees in the afternoon. Northerly ridgetop winds will be light before picking up to 15 to 20 miles per hour out of the west to northwest by mid-morning.Dangerous avalanche conditions exist in the Teton and Southwest Trails forecast zones, and the general avalanche hazard is expected to remain Considerable in the mountains on Sunday. On a variety of aspects and elevations, backcountry travelers could trigger persistent slab avalanches ranging in depth from two to four feet in steep, avalanche terrain. As the day warms, these slabs could become more prone to failure on sunlit aspects. In similar terrain on Togwotee Pass, skiers and riders have the potential of triggering smaller persistent slabs with depths ranging from one to three feet. There, the hazard is expected to remain Moderate. The weak, persistent faceted layers vary significantly across the landscape. Conservative terrain choices and cautious route finding are your best tools to mitigate this hazard.