Togwotee Pass

The General Avalanche Hazard is MODERATE. Some potential remains for large triggers such as snow machines to initiate deep hard slabs on very steep wind loaded avalanche paths that have buried layers of weak faceted snow. The chance of triggering such a slide will increase as the day warms, along with the chance of wet, loose sloughs. On Thursday a snowmobiler near Dry Lake triggered a five foot deep hard slab on a steep northeast facing slope at an elevation of 9,500 feet. Caution is advised.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Cloud cover is expected to continue to decrease overnight before moisture to the north brings increasing clouds and a chance of light, scattered snow showers for Sunday afternoon and into the evening. Mountain temperatures are forecasted to dip into the upper teens overnight, before rebounding into the mid 30s on Sunday. The valley should see similar lows and highs in the lower 40s.The General Avalanche Hazard in the Teton Range is expected to be LOW on Sunday. If clear skies prevail, pinwheels and wet, loose sloughs could be seen later in the day.The General Avalanche Hazard in the Continental Divide/Togwotee Pass area is expected to remain MODERATE on Sunday. There, the primary concern is lingering, deep-slab instabilities. While the chance of triggering a deep, hard slab is unlikely, the consequences are severe. These slabs will become more susceptible to failure along with the possibility of wet, loose sloughs if clear skies are seen throughout the day.The General Avalanche Hazard in the Southwest Trails/Greys River area is also expected to remain MODERATE. In addition to similar concerns that exist in the Togwotee Pass area, recently developed soft slabs up to a foot in depth could be human triggered in wind-loaded starting zones. The slabs, along with wet, loose sloughs, will become less stable as the day warms, and could sweep backcountry travelers over cliff bands or into terrain traps.