Togwotee Pass

New snow and strong winds will put an additional load on existing areas of unstable snow. The general avalanche hazard is MODERATE and will be increasing as the day progresses. Skiers or riders who venture into steep avalanche starting zones could trigger dense slabs one to three feet in depth. These slabs will increase in volume and depth during the day. Their sensitivity to human triggers will be on the increase in areas were blowing snow is being deposited.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Skies will be cloudy overnight with some light snow or flurries as the next Pacific storm system approaches. On Wednesday snowfall will increase in intensity and become heavy at times. Accumulations of 8 to 15 inches are possible by Thursday morning. This snowfall will be accompanied by strong west-southwest winds at 30 to 40 with gusts to near 60 miles per hour. Mountain temperatures will be in the single digits and teens.The strong winds and new snow will create new soft slabs on leeward aspects and increase the load on existing areas of instability. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE in the early morning hours and will increase to CONSIDERABLE as the day progresses. In steep wind loaded terrain dangerous dense slab avalanches up to three feet in depth will become increasingly sensitive to human triggers. In some areas these slabs may have potential to step down into older layers. Natural avalanche activity may develope.