Togwotee Pass

The general avalanche hazard is MODERATE above an elevation of 9,000 feet. In the higher, exposed terrain, pockets of surface slabs to 18 inches deep could be user triggered especially by snow machines on steep northerly or shaded avalanche starting zones or cliff areas. Deeper, hard slabs, to 4 feet deep, rest on unstable crusts and also could be triggered, particularly by high marking. Avalanches are unlikely below an elevation of 9,000 feet where the snowpack is mostly stable and the general avalanche hazard is LOW.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A weather system will stream moisture over the region Tuesday night into Wednesday. Light snow is forecasted Wednesday with light accumulations. Temperatures will rise from morning lows near 10 degrees to around 20. Ridge crest winds will be west southwest at 20 to 25 miles per hour with higher gusts.The avalanche hazard above 9,000 feet will be MODERATE. At lower elevations the hazard will be LOW. Backcountry travelers have some potential to release pockets of slab to 18 inches in depth at the higher elevations near ridge crests on steep, avalanche prone terrain. Larger triggers may be necessary to release slides like several people on a slope at once or more than one snow machine. In the Togwotee Pass area backcountry travelers have the potential to trigger deeper hard slabs to four feet in depth on steep slopes.