Togwotee Pass

Snow is beginning to accumulate at the highest elevations. About five inches of new snow fell on top of Togwotee Pass yesterday afternoon and evening. This snow fell upon 3 to 5 inches of older snow that accumulated during the previous six days. Several days of westerly winds have drifted available snow onto leeward aspects. Snow depths above an elevation of 9,000 feet range from 5 to 10 inches. Avalanches are unlikely except in very steep terrain upper elevation terrain where isolated pockets of soft slab 6 to 12 inches in depth are possible. Snow depths below an elevation of 9,000 feet are anticipated to be insufficient for avalanche activity.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Moisture will continue to stream into the region on a westerly flow and should continue to favor the Teton Range and areas of Yellowstone National Park. Another four inches is possible overnight and again on Monday at the higher elevations of these favored areas. Lesser amounts are likely on Togwotee Pass and in the Greys River area. Temperatures at 10,000 feet will be in the upper 20s and 30s. A rain and snow mix is forecast for the lower elevations. At the upper elevations of the Teton Range some potential has developed for humans to trigger isolated pockets of surface slab 6 to 18 inches deep in very steep avalanche starting zones with fresh deposits of wind drifted snow. Due to the low snow depths and numerous obstacles the consequences of triggering a small slab avalanche in extreme terrain will be severe. Avalanches are unlikely in most terrain and below an elevation of 9,000 feet, where snow depths are generally less than 6 inches deep.