Togwotee Pass

Above an elevation of 8,000 feet, the general avalanche hazard is MODERATE this morning and will rise to CONSIDERABLE this afternoon. Three to six inches of new snow, with more on the way, will form very soft shallow slabs. Backcountry travelers could trigger these slides, along with loose snow sluffs on steep, wind-loaded slopes. Older slabs, up to 30 inches in depth, could also be triggered on similar slopes. Avalanches are unlikely below an elevation of 8,000 feet. Training and experience are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain today.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )The strong Pacific weather system that brought snowfall to the area on Sunday is expected to impact the region Sunday night through Monday. Up to 9 inches of new snow could fall overnight, followed by an additional 5 to 10 inches on Monday. Mountain temperatures are expected to warm into the upper teens as southwesterly winds range from 10 to 20 miles per hour.Above 7,500 feet, the general avalanche hazard is expected to be CONSIDERABLE Monday morning and could rise to HIGH later in the day if forecasted snowfall materializes. Warming temperatures, combined with light to moderate winds, will created easily triggered soft slabs and loose snow sluffs to two feet. Much higher consequences will result from failure of deeper instabilities. These dangerous hard slabs, three to six feet in depth, could be triggered by backcountry travelers, step down from smaller slides, or release spontaneously under the load of the new snow. Below 7,500 feet, the general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE where the primary concern is newly developed soft slabs and loose snow sluffs 6 to 12 inches in depth.