Togwotee Pass

Overnight lows were a few degrees warmer than yesterday, and surface crusts may be less developed. If mostly clear skies persist into late morning, the general avalanche hazard could increase from LOW to MODERATE before mid-day once snow surfaces soften. This scenario brings a possibility for wet loose slides and cornice failures. These events, along with backcountry travelers, could also trigger pockets of surface slab up to 18 inches deep. In isolated areas, very large cornice failures might trigger dangerous hard slab avalanches up to five feet in depth. If cloud cover comes in early and surface crusts remain frozen, mostly stable avalanche conditions could continue throughout the day. Monitor the warming of the snowpack, stay out from under large cornices, and plan to avoid avalanche terrain if snow surfaces significantly soften.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Expect mostly dry and windy conditions Friday night before an approaching cold front brings increasing cloud cover and a chance for showers Saturday afternoon and into the evening. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in near 30 before rising into the upper 30s to low 40s during the day. Westerly ridgetop winds will range from 10 to 20 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be LOW Saturday morning following below freezing conditions overnight. The increase in hazard, possibly rising to MODERATE, will be dependent on the extent crusts developed overnight, and the amount of sunshine received during the day. If snow surfaces soften, wet loose slides and cornice failures may begin to occur. These events, along with backcountry travelers, could trigger pockets of surface slab up to 18 inches deep if substantial warming occurs. Monitor conditions, stay out from underneath large cornices, and avoid avalanche terrain where snow surfaces have significantly softened.