Togwotee Pass

The snowpack is mostly stable. However, the possibility remains to trigger small isolated pockets of slab up to 18 inches in depth that rest on a persistent weak layer of buried surface hoar on a hard crust. This hazard is limited to high shaded terrain that is very steep. Avalanches are unlikely below an elevation of 8,500 feet where snow depths are shallow. By later this afternoon, the possibility may develop to trigger new snow sluffs or shallow soft slabs.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )The first in a series of systems is to hit the area Friday bringing four to eight inches of snow by Saturday. Mountain temperatures are expected to remain in the mid to upper twenties which will result in dense snow in the mountains and rain or a mix of rain and snow in the valleys. Winds are to be southwesterly with twenty to thirty mile per hour averages. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Moderate in the Teton area and Low in the Togwotee Pass and Greys River areas. Above 8500 feet human triggered slab avalanches remain possible in very steep terrain in isolated areas. These slabs are likely to be small relative to path size and could have depths to two feet. Caution is advised as sensitive areas are very hard to predict at this time as many slopes will not fail. Slabs could become more sensitive later in the day as wind and heavy snow add additional loads to the snowpack.