Togwotee Pass

The General Avalanche Hazard is MODERATE. Slabs to two feet in depth created by 10 inches of snow and strong winds over the weekend could be triggered on steep, lee slopes. Any surface slides have the potential to pull out deeper, old snow which rests on weak, faceted snow at the base of the snowpack. Larger triggers like multiple highmarking may be necessary to start an avalanche. With rapidly warming temperatures the chance of triggering slides on sun lit aspects will increase. Avaoid steep, south facing slopes in the afternoon.Yesterday in the Teton Range several skiers triggered and were caught in large slides on south facing slopes at or above treeline. No injuries were reported.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Warm air will continue to move into the region over steep valley inversions. 10,000 foot maximum temperatures Wednesday are forecasted to reach 35 degrees. Winds on the peaks will be southerly at 10 to 15 miles per hour.Easterly to southerly slopes will continue to experience very rapid warming and lose strength through the day. The warmer temperatures will make slides more easily triggered on a greater variety of aspects and slope angles. More shaded aspects will also be weakened by the heat and steep areas under or near cliffs and ridgecrests that did not run during the storm cycle will have a greater potential to slide. The General Avalanche Hazard will be CONSIDERABLE. Avoid travel on or below obvious slide paths.