Togwotee Pass

Yesterday’s above-freezing temperatures and period of light rain below 8,000 feet have kept the snowpack warm and wet. A light freeze overnight has formed surface crusts. As soon as these crusts break down, the wet snow avalanche hazard will become elevated. On steep snow-cover slopes, where the snowpack is unconsolidated, wet slides are possible. In areas with a shallow snowpack and below 7,500 feet, these wet slides could dig down to the ground. Above 9,000 feet, avalanches are unlikely and the general avalanche hazard is low. Monitor the day’s warming and the effects of solar radiation, and avoid steep avalanche-prone terrain with wet snow.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )As the weather system exits to the east, rain and snow showers will taper off and cloud cover will decrease. Tomorrow skies are expected to be partly to mostly cloudy over the mountains. At 10,000 feet, overnight temperatures are forecasted to drop into the 20s and then rise into the upper 30s. Valley lows are expected to be in the upper 20s and then warm to 50. Northwesterly ridgetop winds will be 15 to 25 miles per hour tonight, and then by the morning should back to the west and lessen. Freezing temperatures overnight will form surface crusts and decrease the wet snow avalanche hazard. Depending on the length of the freeze, it will determine how quickly the hazard will increase as the snowpack becomes unconsolidated. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be moderate. Wet snow avalanches will be possible below 8,000 feet and on solar aspects above this elevation. In the Tetons and Southwest Trails forecast areas, backcountry travelers could trigger isolated wind slabs 12 inches deep on wind loaded slopes above 9,000 feet. The likelihood of triggering these slabs will increase as the day warms.