Togwotee Pass

The General Avalanche Hazard is MODERATE. Sunshine will soften sun crusts on sunlit slopes increasing the chance for wet-loose surface sloughs that could be triggerd by backcountry users, falling cornices or snow dropping from cliff areas. The potential persists for backcountry travelers to trigger slab avalanches up to five feet in depth on very steep slopes and in cliff areas. Larger triggers, such as multiple high marking snowmobiles on the same slope, may be necessary to initiate failure of these dangerous slides. Sunshine and warming temperatures will make these slabs more susceptible to failure.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. ) The upper level ridge will continue to dominate the weather through Thursday. Clear skies will allow mountain temperatures to drop to the mid teens Tuesday night then sunshine will raise Wednesday highs to near freezing or above. Thermal inversions will bring morning lows on the valley floors to below zero then rise to the low twenties.Sunlit exposures will again have increasing potential Wednesday for natural or user caused wet-loose slides on steep, sunlit aspects above 8500 feet. The avalanche hazard is expected to start at Low then climb to Moderate as the snow warms. Cool temperatures below 8500 feet will keep the avalanche hazard at Low.