Togwotee Pass

The General Avalanche Hazard is MODERATE. Strong Northwesterly and Westerly winds have transported existing and new snow onto leeward slopes, creating pockets of shallow wind slabs along ridgelines. These sensitive slabs, which lie atop buried surface hoar and suncrusts, could be easily triggered on steep, wind-loaded slopes, and have the potential of sweeping backcountry travelers over cliff bands or into terrain traps. The possibility continues for snowmobilers and skiers to trigger full depth avalanches in steep avalanche terrain failing on weak faceted snow persisting at the base of the snowpack. This situation is problematic as the snowpack can support significant traffic before failing to the ground.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Overcast skies are forecasted to continue as Northwest flow aloft brings a stream of moisture along with the possibility of 2 to 4 inches of light density snow by Saturday morning. Ridgetop winds are expected to decrease into the 20s and back to the West. Temperatures should remain cold at all elevations with overnight lows dropping to near 10 below before rising into the mid teens during the day on Saturday.The General Avalanche Hazard is expected to be MODERATE on Saturday. New snowfall and sustained winds will continue to build shallow wind slabs. These sensitive slabs, which lie atop surface hoar and suncrusts, have the potential of sweeping backcountry travelers over cliff bands or into terrain traps. In addition to this surface problem, skiers or riders could initiate hard slab avalanches failing to the ground in the shallow snowpacks of the Greys River and Togwotee Pass areas.