Togwotee Pass

The general avalanche hazard is MODERATE. Strong west winds Friday created dense wind slabs up to a foot deep on leeward aspects. At the mid and upper elevations warming temperatures will make these slabs easier to trigger on steep slopes and have the potential to step down to depths of three feet in cliff areas, near cornices and on the steep walls of cirques and basins. Careful evaluation of snow and terrain features will be necessary in avalanche terrain.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Snowfall will spread through the region Saturday night into Sunday, tapering off around noon with 5 to 7 inches of accumulation expected. Ridge top winds will be westerly at 30 miles per hour with higher gusts and temperatures will rise from the mid teens in the morning to the upper twenties during the day.The general avalanche hazard will be Moderate Sunday morning and increase with new snow, strong winds and warming temperatures. Backcountry travelers could trigger dense wind slabs to a foot in depth on steep slopes. Avalanches have the potential to step down to three feet in depth below cornices, in cliff areas or on the steep slopes of cirques and basins.