Togwotee Pass

At the higher elevations the general avalanche hazard is CONSIDERABLE. A foot or more of new snow with southwest winds have created easily triggered soft slabs to two feet in depth on steep, lee slopes. The new slabs are developing on pockets of poorly anchored wind slab one to two feet in depth on steep northerly aspects. Triggered slides have the potential to pull out both layers of snow. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making are essential today. Below an elevation of 8,500 feet the general avalanche hazard is LOW. Avalanches are unlikely except in isolated pockets on steep banks and road cuts.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Moderate to heavy snowfall will occur Thursday night through Friday with 10 to 15 inches of accumulation expected in the Tetons and 7 - 10 inches in the Greys River and Togwotee Pass areas. Winds will be southwesterly at 30 miles per hour Thursday night then westerly at 10 to 15 on Friday. Temperatures at 9,500 feet will rise from the upper teens in the morning to the low 20s Friday. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be CONSIDERABLE at upper elevations. New soft surface slabs to 18 inches in depth could be easily triggered by humans on lee slopes. Below the new snow on northerly aspects pockets of stiff wind slab 15 to 30 inches deep exist. Avalanches have the potential to step down to, or initiate with, this deeper snow that rests on weak, faceted snow and hard crusts. At mid elevations the hazard will be MODERATE. Steep, lee slopes will have increasing hazard as the new snow adds to slabs resting on weak faceted snow over crusts, particularly in shaded areas. The general avalanche hazard below an elevation of 7,500 feet is expected to be LOW but rapidly increasing snow and warm temperatures could present the potential for human triggered slides in very steep areas like ravines or road cuts.