Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
No rating
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Highlights

Human triggered avalanches are possible at ALL ELEVATIONS today and likely at the upper elevations. New snow and wind are conspiring to build fresh slabs and stress buried weak layers. Pay attention to signs of instability such as cracking within wind drifted snow and slow down and evaluate before entering steep, consequential terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Weak layers of snow that formed during the month of February are now buried around 1- 2 feet deep. Poor basal structure and large grained facets that developed back in November are also present throughout the landscape. Areas where wind loaded snow rests on top of these buried weak layers are of particular concern. 

    Pay attention to signs of instability such as audible collapsing of the snowpack and recent avalache activity. You can use your shovel to dig a snowpit and perform a stability tests such as an extended column test to evaluate the presence and reactivity of buried weak layers. 

    Mocassin Basin 9500' E aspect

    Photo: Cory Beattie

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Fresh wind slabs that are around 1 foot thick and soft will develop throughout the day in areas that are leeward of WNW winds. 

    Look for wind slabs on exposed terrain features such as ridgelines and open slopes near the head of drainage features. Pay attention to signs of instability such as cracking within wind drifted snow. 

Avalanche Discussion

Over the last 24 hours Togwotee has picked up 5-7 inches of snow with light winds out of the SW. The forecast for today is for more snow and wind, with 3-5 inches of snow possible and winds out of the WNW will increase this afternoon. High temperatures should reach near 15 degrees around noon and then taper for the remainder of the day. 

Recent avalanche activity has included a large persistent slab avalanche in Moccasin Basin and a large wind/persitent slab on Grouse mountain. 

Poor basal structure and weak facets/crusts from February are widspread throughout the forecast area but triggering these buried weak layers remains a fairly low probability/high consequence scenario. 

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