Togwotee Pass

At the higher elevations (above 8,500 feet) the general avalanche hazard will be increasing from LOW in the morning to MODERATE by afternoon. Strong winds will create new soft slabs on leeward aspects. Rapid loading will create areas of instability where these new slabs form upon a base of older faceted snow and hard crusts. Humans who venture into steep terrain with fresh deposits of wind blown snow could trigger soft slab avalanches six to 12 inches in depth. Avalanches are unlikely below an elevation of 8,500 feet where today's new snow is accumulating on bare ground.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Moisture will increase in a westerly flow ahead of a trough that is moving into the Pacific Northwest. Snow is expected to develop overnight in the mountains and increase and lower to valley elevations on Saturday ahead of a cold front that is forecast to past over the region in the afternoon or early evening. Accumulations of three to six inches are possible. Winds will be west-southwesterly veering to the west-northwest and increasing to 20 to 30 with gusts to 40 miles per hour along the higher ridge lines. Areas of blowing snow are likely and may obscure visibility. Mountain temperatures are expected to be in the teens and 20s.At the upper elevations (9,000 to 10,500 feet) the general avalanche hazard is expected to be LOW in the morning and increase as the day progresses. New snow and wind will create soft slabs along the leeward aspects. These slabs will increase in depth and extent as the day progresses. Humans who venture into steep avalanche starting zones that are being rapidly loaded and are underlain by faceted snow on crust could trigger pockets of soft slab six to 18 inches in depth. At the mid and lower elevations the new snow will be accumulating on bare ground and is not expected to present a hazard.