Togwotee Pass

The general avalanche hazard is MODERATE. Over a foot of new snow from a storm ending yesterday and westerly winds have formed surface slabs on steep, leeward slopes to depths of eighteen inches. Riders and skiers have the potential to trigger these slabs as well as hard slabs up to 30 inches deep that lie upon a persistent weak layer at the base of the snowpack. Hard slabs are dangerous and unpredictable as they could be triggered by the first person on a slope or after a slope has been crossed many times.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Occasional light snow is forecasted for Sunday night and Monday as some moisture from the northwest rides over a ridge to the west. Daytime mountain highs Monday will be near 20 degrees and ridge crest winds will be westerly to northwesterly at 20 miles per hour. Two to three inches of accumulation are expected for the Tetons and one inch for surrounding areas.The general avalanche hazard in the Tetons and Greys River areas is expected to be CONSIDERABLE Monday. Soft slabs to four feet deep from the newer snow and deeper, hard slabs could be triggered by backcountry travelers in steep areas. Most recent activity has had some common elements: Very steep slopes, good build-up of snow from ridge-crest winds or cliffs above and underlying faceted snow. Skiing conservative lines and careful route-finding are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain.In the Togwotee Pass area, where less snow has fallen, the hazard is expected to remain MODERATE.