Togwotee Pass

Dangerous conditions exist at the upper elevations. Multiple large natural slab avalanches occurred two nights ago in the southern Teton Range and a very large hard slab avalanche released naturally around noon yesterday. Similar conditions exist in the Togwotee Pass area. These events failed on a weak layer that persist on an October rain crust. These deep slabs and shallower wind slabs could be human triggered today, especially by snowmachines. Avalanches are unlikely below an elevation of 7,500 feet.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A cold high pressure ridge will be over the western mountains of Wyoming overnight and into the morning. A weak low pressure trough moving in from northern Idaho and western Montana could produce areas of light snowfall in the afternoon and evening. Winds will back towards the southwest and decrease to speeds of 10 to 15 miles per hour. Temperatures will drop to 10 to 20 degrees below zero overnight and rise to near zero to 10 degrees above zero during the day.Large destructive avalanches will continue to be a hazard at the upper elevations where a persistent weak layer of faceted snow near the base of the snow pack sits upon an October crust. Although the potential for additional natural releases will continue to decrease the potential for humans to trigger these dangerous slides will continue. Larger triggers such as snow machines are especially vulnerable. That said the weight of a single person could trigger one of these monster slides and other tracks should not be considered to be an indication of stability. These slabs could have crown depths to five feet. Lingering wind slabs one to three feet in depth could also be human triggered on a variety of aspects at the mid and upper elevations. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be CONSIDERABLE at the upper elevations, MODERATE at the mid elevations and LOW at the lower elevations.