Togwotee Pass

The general avalanche hazard is MODERATE. DANGEROUS slabs up to six feet in depth could be triggered in the steep starting zones of major avalanche paths. Starting zones beneath cornices, that are heavily drifted and face east through north are most suspect. Larger triggers such as groups of skiers and snowmachiners are more likely to initiate failure of these killer slabs. Shallow slabs which could also be triggered pose a hazard above terrain traps where avalanche debris from a small slide may pile up to significant depths in confined terrain features. On Thursday a skier died in a slide on Mount Taylor in the southern Teton Range and a snowmachiner died in a slide near Cooke City, Montana. The Cooke City victim was reported to have been recovered from a depth of two feet in ten minutes but died likely from suffucation. The consequences of being caught are severe.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A ridge of high pressure and the associated very warm airmass over the area will break down over the next 24 hours. The first in a series of Pacific storms will bring light valley rain and snow to the northwest mountains of Wyoming Saturday afternoon. Expect clouds to increase during the day as this precipitation develops. Mountain daytime highs will climb into the upper 20's to low 30's. Winds will be southwesterly at 16 to 25 MPH. AVALANCHE HAZARD FOR THE TETON, TOGWOTEE PASS/CONTINENTAL DIVIDE AND GREYS RIVER/SOUTHWEST TRAILS AREASThe general avalanche danger is expected to be MODERATE. Dangerous slabs could be triggered in very steep heavily wind drifted avalanche starting zones and have potential to run full path. Slabs to eight feet in depth have run primarily on east through north aspects. Some have been triggered by shallow surface slabs that have stepped down to deeper layers. Larger triggers such as snowmachines and groups are most likely to trigger these slabs. The consequences of an interaction with these slabs are likely to be severe! Backcountry users are advised to consult area specific forecasts issued every morning as new information may become available and unexpected weather can change conditions.