Togwotee Pass

The General Avalanche Hazard is LOW this morning and will rise through MODERATE by mid day to CONSIDERABLE in the afternoon. Overnight lows in the mid 20s, along with clear skies since yesterday evening, have created a substantial melt-freeze crust that should persist into late morning. As this crust breaks down wet, loose sloughs will become possible. The potential for wet slab avalanche activity on steep, snow-covered slopes will also increase as the day warms. These slabs could fail on layers of weak, faceted snow that persist within or at the base of the snowpack.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Cloud cover is expected to decrease overnight, with mostly clear skies by Monday morning. Warm, dry conditions should remain through Monday evening. Overnight lows are projected to be near 20 at all elevations before rising into the low 40s in the mountains and near 50 in the valley on Monday. Westerly ridgecrest winds are forecasted to range from 10 to 20 mph.The General Avalanche Hazard is expected to be LOW at all elevations in the early morning hours and will rapidly rise through MODERATE to CONSIDERABLE as surface crusts break down. The potential for dangerous, natural wet-loose and wet-slab avalanche activity will increase on steep, snow-covered slopes as the day progresses. In addition, the possibility for human-trigger, dry-slab avalanches on very steep, shaded aspects above 9,000 feet will also rise with daily warming. These slabs, either wet or dry, are likely to fail on layers of weak, faceted snow that persist within or at the base of the snowpack.