Togwotee Pass

Above an elevation of 8000 feet the general avalanche hazard is Moderate. In steep avalanche-prone terrain, the chance continues for riders and skiers to trigger slab avalanches. These slabs could be soft with depths to eighteen inches or in large, wind-loaded terrain features the slabs could be hard, with depths to four feet. New snow could also be triggered in steep terrain as sloughs or as very shallow soft slabs. Periods of sunshine will make slides more sensitive to triggers. Avalanches below 8000 feet are unlikely in the shallow snowpack.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Weak weather systems will bring periods of light snow to the area overnight and Wednesday. Accumulations area expected to be light with one to two inches of snow in the mountains of western Wyoming by Wednesday afternoon. Winds will continue northwesterly to westerly around 10 miles per hour. Temperatures at 9,500 feet will drop to near ten degrees by Wednesday morning then warm to 20 during the day. Northwest winds Tuesday were moving new and available snow onto steep, lee slopes at upper elevations near ridge crests and cross-loading near ridges. Developing, sensitive soft slabs will be easily triggered Wednesday and could be up to a foot in depth in the Tetons. Smaller slabs and sloughs could be easily triggered in the Greys River-Wyomng Ranges. Deeper slab concerns continue as noted above. Larger triggers such as groups or snow machines are more likely to initiate the deeper slabs. In the Togwotee Pass area slabs of two to four feet in depth could be triggered by snow machines on steep slopes, particularly under cliff areas or just below ridge tops. Any periods of sunshine will make triggering slides easier and natural sloughs should be expected on steep, sunlit slopes that could release the new slabs or entrain enough snow to be dangerous. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE.