Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
No rating
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Highlights

Strong wind has loaded a weak snowpack in upper elevation terrain where triggering hard slab avalanches 1-3 feet deep remains possible. Smaller wind slab avalanches less than 12 inches deep are also possible. Look for obvious signs such as stiff drifts, rippled surfaces, and shooting cracks to identify wind loaded terrain where heightened avalanche conditions exist.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Strong wind over the last 48 hours has formed shallow wind slabs less than 12 inches deep. These stiff wind slabs have been easy to trigger the last several days as they lie on weak interfaces. Although small, these wind slabs could knock you off your feet or machine. Larger slabs will be found above the treeline and more likely off ridgelines or around confined features like couloirs. Seek terrain sheltered from the wind if you encounter signs of instability.

    (1/17/2025)

    An example of wind transport near Barbers Point in the Togwotee zone. 

    Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak snow buried 1-3 feet deep below hard slabs remains a concern. Strong northwest wind over the last 48 hours has loaded slopes and stressed a weak snowpack. Wind loaded slopes in exposed, alpine terrain are where persistent slab avalanches are most likely in the upper elevations today. Slopes over 35° steep that contain thin, sensitive areas in the slab are more likely places to impact buried weak layers. Thin spots usually exist around complex, rocky and, wind-affected terrain. 

    In terrain sheltered from the wind, the odds of triggering a persistent slab avalanche have decreased over time. Unfortunately these weak layers require a long time to heal. Stability tests are still showing unstable results despite the lack of recent avalanches. Remain vigilant traveling through avalanche terrain. Identify complex terrain where avalanches are more likely and look out for terrain traps where unsuspecting slopes can have serious consequences.

    An example of terrain where persistent slab avalanches are most likely.

Avalanche Discussion

Low Probability, High Consequence Scenario

Your odds of triggering an avalanche are slowly decreasing, but each day is only incrementally safer than the last. Benign weather will help slopes stabilize, but the process is slow. The recent strong wind event loaded many slopes and has added stress to persistent weak layers in specific areas. This has certainly not helped the snowpack stabilize. Evidence of wind scour and loading of snow was very obvious yesterday during field observations. Pay attention to subtle clues in the snow surfaces to identify wind loaded terrain where heightened avalanche conditions exist. Areas in the alpine such as Angle, Breccia, and Bonneville Pass are prime examples of locations where significant wind loading can stress the weak snowpack. The last reported cycle of persistent slab avalanches occurred January 7th. Many local folks are still staying conservative in this zone due to the possible associated with triggering large, destructive avalanches.

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