Togwotee Pass

Above 8,500 feet, weak snow grains lie at the base of the snowpack under a dense slab of snow. Over the past several days, mountain temperatures have only fluctuated about 10 degrees and highs have been above or near freezing. These conditions along with no additional loading in over a week have helped stabilize the snowpack and decreased the likelihood of a person triggering a large avalanche. The consequences of being involved in an avalanche on these layers still remain severe. A secondary problem is small wind slab avalanches less than a foot in depth that could be encountered along the highest ridges on steep slopes. Good techniques of traveling one at a time through avalanche terrain and carrying rescue equipment will help manage one’s exposure. At the lower elevations, where the hazard is Low, avalanches are unlikely and would be small on steep isolated terrain features.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )High pressure and a dry northwest flow will keep weather conditions mild. Skies are expected to be mostly sunny. The temperature inversion will continue to form. Overnight, mountain temperatures will drop into the teens and valleys into the single digits, and then tomorrow temperatures are expected to warm into the upper twenties. Northwesterly to westerly ridgetop winds will be lighter than today at 10 to 15 miles per hour.The avalanche danger will remain Moderate above 9,000 feet. The potential of triggering an avalanche is becoming less likely but the outcome continues to have high consequences. It will take a large trigger or crossing a thin section of the slab to release an avalanche and is most likely to occur on steep, unsupported slopes. Backcountry travelers should use safe travel techniques of only exposing one person at a time to avalanche terrain.