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Out of date — this forecast expired 11 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Above 8,000 feet, backcountry travelers could trigger recently developed wind slabs in steep, wind-loaded terrain. Any extended periods of sunshine in the afternoon could make these slides more susceptible to failure on sunlit aspects. Monitor weather conditions, and avoid areas with obvious signs of wind loading. Deep persistent slabs still pose a concern in high elevation starting zones.

Avalanche problems

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2–3

    Snowfall on Thursday has further loaded deep persistent slabs that lie upon faceted snow in the lower portion of the snowpack. These dangerous slabs exist on north through east to south facing slopes at the higher elevations. Deep persistent slabs are difficult to trigger, but carry high consequences in the event that they do release. Likely trigger points are shallow areas of snow which then propagate into deeper areas. These slides could reach three feet in depth.

  • Wind Slabs

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

    On Thursday, very strong southwesterly to westerly ridgetop winds combined with new snow to create dense wind slabs in leeward terrain. This snowfall came in warm and ended cool, which created a right-side-up snowfall event. Skiers and riders venturing into steep, avalanche-prone terrain could trigger these slabs to depths of one foot.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A weak disturbance will move over the area tonight and bring a chance for isolated mountain snow showers. Cloud cover will then decrease, and skies will be partly to mostly cloudy on Saturday. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the mid-teens before rising into the mid-20s during the day. Valley lows will be around 20 and then rise to near freezing in the afternoon. Southwesterly to westerly ridgetop winds will range from 20 to 35 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Moderate on Saturday. Above 8,000 feet, skiers and riders could trigger dense wind slabs up to 18 inches deep in steep avalanche terrain that has experienced recent wind loading. As the day warms, extended periods of sunshine could makes these slabs more susceptible to failure on sunlit aspects. In the Togwotee Pass area, a small chance remains for backcountry travelers to trigger deep persistent slabs failing on faceted snow in the lower portion of the snowpack.

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