Togwotee Pass

An estimated eight inches of new snow has fallen on top of Togwotee Pass and east of the Continental Divide. Very little new snow appears to have accumulated west of the divide. With more snow and strong winds in the forecast the general avalanche hazard will rise to CONSIDERABLE in areas with significant new snowfall. Soft and hard slab avalanches up to 18 inches deep could be human triggered on steep slopes. The soft slab avalanches could release naturally if significant wind loading occurs.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A winter storm warning was issued for the Western Mountains and Valleys of Wyoming by the National Weather Service at noon and is in effect until Sunday Evening . The winter storm that has moved in from the Pacific is forecast to intensify and bring periods of moderate to heavy snowfall accompanied by strong winds through tonight, on Sunday and into Sunday Evening. Storm totals are expected to be one to two feet in the Mountains, up to three feet in the Teton Range and six to 12 inches at the lower elevations. Temperatures will remain in the teens in the mountains and should approach 30 degrees in the valleys on Sunday. Winds along the highest ridge crests will continue to be southwesterly at 20 to 30 miles per hour with higher gusts. With one to two feet of new snow and strong winds forecast during the next 24 hours the general avalanche hazard will increase to HIGH at the upper elevations of the Teton and Greys River/Southwest Trails forecast areas. It will increase to CONSIDERABLE at the mid elevations of these forecast areas and at the mid and upper elevations of the Togwotee Pass/Continental Divide area. The general avalanche hazard in all areas below an elevation of 7,500 is expected to remain LOW. Travel in avalanche terrain at the upper elevations of the Teton and Greys River areas is not recommended. Excellent terrain evaluation skills are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain at the mid elevations of the Teton and Greys River area and the mid and upper elevations of the Togwotee Pass area. In all forecast areas above an elevation of 7,500 feet, soft slab avalanches one to three deep are likely to be easily triggered by humans. Natural avalanches are likely.