Togwotee Pass

The general avalanche hazard is MODERATE above 9,000 feet and LOW below that elevation. At the upper elevations dense slabs could be human triggered in steep terrain that is prone to wind loading with depths to as much as three feet. Triggering of these slabs has become unlikely in most terrain however avalanche starting zones beneath cornices, cliff areas and very steep, rocky terrain remain suspect. Avalanches below 9000 feet are unlikely today.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Periods of light to moderate snowfall are expected overnight as a fast moving low pressure system tracking from Washington into Montana passes by. Overnight accumulations of three inches are possible in the mountains with an inch in the valleys. On Sunday skies will slowly clear with light snow showers in the morning tapering to isolated mountain snow showers in the afternoon. Temperatures will drop into 20s overnight and rise into the upper 20s and 30s during the day. Winds will be west-southwest on the summits overnight at 15 to 25 miles per hour with higher gusts and diminish to around 10 miles per hour during the day.Mostly stable conditions exist. Human triggered avalanches are unlikely and are limited to extreme terrain at the upper elevations. Some potential may persist for skiers or riders who venture into cliff areas, onto hanging snowfields and snowmobilers who high mark in very steep terrain to trigger hard slab avalanches from shallow rocky areas with depths to the ground surface. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be LOW at the mid and lower elevations and MODERATE at the upper elevations.