The general avalanche hazard is MODERATE above an elevation of 9,000 feet and LOW below that elevation. Pockets of soft surface slab could be human triggered on steep slopes. These slabs could knock people over and entrain snow on steep sustained pitches. Avoid extreme terrain, cliff areas and steep wind loaded avalanche starting zones with fresh deposits of wind blown snow.
At the upper elevations small pockets of wind slab up to 18 inches in depth could be triggered in steep wind loaded avalanche prone terrain. These slabs were formed by southwest and northwest winds.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Cold air is settling into the region in a dry northwest flow. Temperatures will be below zero in the morning and will rise into the teens during the day under mostly sunny skies. Winds at 10,500 feet will be northwest at 12 to 18 miles per hour.At the upper elevations small pockets of wind slab 4 to 16 inches in depth could be human triggered in very steep terrain. These pockets could knock a person over and carry them over a cliff, or down a very steep slope. This hazard can be easily managed by smart terrain choices. In the Togwotee Pass/Continental Divide area at the upper elevations persistent weak layers present the possibility for larger triggers such as snowmachines to trigger deep hard slab avalanches in isolated areas. Management of this hazard also involves terrain choices. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE at the upper elevations (9,000 to 10,500 feet) and LOW below that elevation.
