Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
No rating
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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Snow and wind from the last 24 hours have deposited fresh slabs on leeward slopes in wind affected terrain. Here, it will be possible for the weight of a rider to trigger an avalanche up to a foot deep.  Carefully evaluate terrain and look for pillowy drifts of soft snow that could be unstable. If you see cracking around your skis on a steep slope, it is best to retreat and find a lower angle route.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    In the last 24 hours Togwotee has received 5 to 7 inches of snow that came in with westerly winds. This has deposited fresh slabs on many leeward slopes. Soft wind slabs could break up to a foot deep and be big enough to ruin your day, especially in consequential terrain. While winds have died off overnight, it is still quite possible to trigger a wind slab. In some areas, these fresh slabs formed on top of weak faceted snow, meaning they could be more sensitive to trigger than you might expect. Since winds will remain mild today, active wind loading may not be present.

    Textbook example of cracking indicating a fresh wind slab. This is an obvious sign of unstable snow and warrants conservative terrain choices.

Avalanche Discussion

Our recent snowfall has been a much needed refresher and should improve riding quality in many locations. For today, avalanches will be confined to the new snow old snow interface. With such an extended period of high pressure and weakening of the snow surface that we had during January and early February, people often wonder, do we have a persistent weak layer again? There were weak facets on the snow surface before it snowed right? It will depend on how the next storms shake out. Continued active weather may increase danger in the short term, but a deeper snowpack is good for long term stability.  That being said, once snow stacks up it is likely that avalanches will fail on these layers, the question is, how long will avalanches be of concern on this weak snow. That is where the persistent character comes into question. For now we will have to see what the weather does and how the weak snow adjusts to the load. 

Another question is, will the old snow buried deeper in the snowpack come back to haunt us? Similar to the previous discussion, the answer is maybe. I would be most concerned about it if we get a significant change in loading from lots of snow and wind. It would take something like this for the more deeply buried snow to feel the weight being added on the surface. It is just another piece of the puzzle to factor in.

If you are out and see anything snow or avalanche related, please consider submitting an observation! It is very helpful during these transitional times.

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