Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
No rating
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Highlights

The snowpack in the Togwotee area has multiple different kinds of avalanche problems. New snow has created surface slabs and weak snow persists at the base. Crusts that were formed during the warm, sunny weather earlier this month are buried and may fail with the surface slabs. Watch for changing conditions as stormy weather comes in today and use caution around steep, rocky slopes and areas loaded with new snow.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Storm slabs are formed by new snow that generally hasn’t been moved around too much by the wind. They often fail at the interface of new and old snow but can involve deeper layers. Today we expect instabilities on the surface to behave more like storm slabs. Wind slabs are still a potential hazard in certain terrain features where loading continued yesterday. There were reports of storm slab avalanches in the Salt River Range yesterday.

    Simple tests like hand shears can give you a lot of information on how new snow is bonding (or not) with older surfaces. Shooting cracks that fail from your skis are indicators of storm/wind slabs. These avalanches can feel “reactive” or “touchy” and often surprise skilled/professional riders and skiers.

    (3/31/2024)

    This storm slab was observed yesterday in the Salt River Range. Similar conditions are expected in the Togwotee area today.

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Triggering a persistent slab avalanche is possible on weak snow buried 2-4 feet deep. The weak, sugary snow exists across all elevations and aspects except middle-elevation southerlies. The most probable areas to trigger a persistent slab avalanche include steep, rocky, and wind-affected slopes on the north half of the compass. These areas contain thin, shallow spots where riders can more 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. A wet slab avalanche failing on these persistent weak layers occurred on 3/19 on Breccia.

    (3/28/2024)

    Total snowpack from Jules Bowls. 10,000' on a NE aspect. 125cm total height. The weak snow at the base is clearly visible.

    Photo: Cameron Galt

Avalanche Discussion

Today’s weather is expected to bring new snow to the Togwotee area, with accumulation beginning this afternoon. The snowpack in this region continues to be complicated and has a mix of weak layers that could produce avalanches. The base of the snowpack is made up of weak snow that we expect to be a hazard for the entire season. Warm, sunny weather earlier in March led to multiple crusts that have been buried and are potential sliding surfaces. These are closer to the top of the snowpack. Avalanches that are triggered on the surface may involve some of these deeper crust/weak snow interfaces. 

More recently there has been consistent snowfall, often accompanied by wind, that has created new slabs on the surface. Watch for areas where the snowpack is especially thick or thin. The shallower areas hold the potential to trigger the weak layers at the base and the thicker, pillowy spots may have lingering wind slabs. Monitor changing conditions carefully today, avoid exposure to terrain traps (features where an avalanche would pile snow especially deep, like gullies), and assess steep slopes before riding on or under them.

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