Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
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Highlights

Warm temperatures and sunshine on recent snow make triggering an avalanche possible in steep terrain. Several layers of weak snow are buried deeper in the snowpack, and though unlikely, you could trigger a larger avalanche on these weak layers. Steep, sunny and rocky slopes will have the greatest avalanche hazard today as wind slabs weaken and snow becomes wet. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slabs which developed Tuesday night will likely be sensitive to triggering again today. Look for these wind slabs and be alert for cracking on shady aspects that escaped warming yesterday. Textured surfaces and terrain features that might hide cross-loaded pillows of drifted snow are among the indicators for this avalanche problem type. 

    Cornices have grown large this winter with more snow added in the past week. While cornice collapses are generally unpredictable, failures are most likely to happen in the heat of the day. A large collapse in the Tetons yesterday triggered a very large avalanche (D3) than ran to the valley floor.

    (4/10/2024) Photo: Dan Hays

    This avalanche crown looks to be 200m wide, 2-3m thick and took most of the seasons snowpack with it. It occurred yesterday on the Wedge at around 10,000',  SSE of Grand Targhee.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Snow will continue to heat up today due to higher temperatures and a lighter winds than yesterday. Even east facing slopes and other mid-elevation slopes that heat up may get wet enough to release naturally, through roller ball action, tree bombs, or point releases from rocky areas. This avalanche problem is unlikely to bury a person but could easily drag you somewhere you'd rather not go.

    (4/4/2024)

    A D1.5 wet loose avalanche. Wet loose avalanches often start at a point, near exposed rocks or trees, and fan out. 

    Photo: Cameron Galt

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Triggering a persistent slab avalanche on weak snow buried 2-4 feet deep is unlikely but not out of the question. See the above picture of the cornice triggered avalanche in the Tetons for evidence. Widespread natural avalanches on the weak layers in this zone will require more heating and flowing water than today will bring but triggering on some slopes remains a possibility. The most probable areas to trigger a persistent slab avalanche includesteep, rocky, and wind-affected slopes on the north half of the compass. These areas contain thin, shallow spots where riders can easily impact weak layers. Shallower snow is also found east of the continental divide and south towards the Gros Ventre Range. Previous tracks on a slope are not an indicator of stability. Use caution in steep terrain and give yourself a wide margin of error on slopes with high consequences or near terrain traps. Move to low-angle terrain to avoid this problem. 

    The last known persistent slab avalanche occurred on 3/16 in Upper Deception Creek. On 3/19, a wet slab avalanche failing on these persistent weak layers occurred on Breccia.More avalanches such as these are possible during spring warm-ups and may span the border between a wet slab and a persistent slab problem. However, both will be equally destructive avalanche types.

    A snowmobile-triggered persistent slab avalanche occurred in Upper Deception Creek on 3/16.

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