Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
No rating
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

At the higher elevations snowmobilers and skiers who venture onto steep wind loaded avalanche prone slopes could trigger slab avalanches that involve the recent new snow. Larger persistent slab avalanches that involve older snow could also be triggered by skiers and riders on a weak layer of faceted snow that was buried in November. Isolated areas of instability may exist on very steep terrain features below an elevation of 7,500 feet.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    At the higher elevations slab avalanches up to a foot in depth could be triggered by the weight of a single person. These slabs were formed by southwest to northwest winds. Warming temperatures and sunshine may increase the sensitivity of these slabs to human triggers as the day progresses. These slabs are especially dangerous above cliff areas and terrain traps. Snow depths are still shallow and the consequences of being caught in an avalanche are more severe due to rocks and other obstacles.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2

    Larger slab avalanches with depths to three feet could be triggered on a persistent weak layer that formed in November. These persistent slab avalanches could be triggered an individual rider or be triggered by a surface slab that steps down to the November layer of buried faceted snow.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Conditions will be dry as high pressure builds in from the west. Temperature inversions will develop and result in warmer mountain top temperatures. Overnight lows will drop into the single digits in the mountains and to near zero in the valleys. Daytime highs will rise into the mid-20s at all elevations. Winds will back towards the south and be light at 5 to 15 miles per hour.At the mid and upper elevations buried layers of faceted snow exist in our snowpack. One was formed in early December and another was formed in mid-November and is therefore more deeply buried. These persistent weak layers have been the failure plane for slab avalanches. Humans who venture onto steep wind loaded avalanche prone slopes could trigger slab avalanches that involve the recent new snow on the early December layer. These surface slabs could be up to two feet deep. Larger slab avalanches with depths to 3 feet could be triggered on the deeper layer. At the lower elevations (below 7,500 feet) the recent new snow accumulated upon a shallow faceted snowpack. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE on Friday at the mid and upper elevations and LOW below an elevation of 7,500 feet.

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