Togwotee Pass

The general avalanche hazard is MODERATE above an elevation of 8,000 feet and LOW below that elevation. At the higher elevations the potential continues for people to trigger full depth, hard slab avalanches on some steep slopes. These deep slabs could be triggered by a single skier or may release after a slope has been crossed multiple times by snow machines. The potential to trigger one of these avalanches will increase as the day warms. Some wet-loose natural and human triggered surface slides should be expected in the heat of the day on steep, sunny slopes.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. ) The high pressure system will slowly move east allowing increasing clouds to move into the region Tuesday. Mountain temperatures will rise from the upper teens in the morning to the low thirties during the day. Southwest winds will blow at 15 to 20 miles per hour along the ridge crests. The valleys will experience strong temperature inversions with fog and morning lows in the single digits.The general avalanche hazard will be Moderate in the Tetons where the possibility remains for backcountry users to trigger dense slabs to 18 inches in depth on steep slopes and chutes at Mid and Upper elevations. The general avalanche hazard will be Moderate in the Continental Divide/Togwotee Pass area. The possibility exists for people, particularly snow machiners, to trigger full depth hard slab avalanches on steep slopes.The general avalanche hazard in the Southwest Trails/Greys River region will be Considerable. The snowpack in this area has both the buried surface hoar layer that could produce dense surface slides and the buried depth hoar that could produce full depth, hard slab avalanches.Human or naturally triggered wet, loose slides can be expected in rocky steep areas with good sun exposure in the afternoon in all areas. Warm temperatures will make all slide types easier to trigger.