Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
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Highlights

Today it is possible to trigger an avalanche breaking in deeper, weak snow near the bottom of the snowpack. As temperatures increase today, wet snow avalanches will become possible on sunlit slopes and middle elevations. Continue to monitor the snow surface for signs of warming and give terrain with cornices overhead a wide margin. 

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Triggering an avalanche remains possible on weak snow buried within the snowpack's top 2-4 feet. Togwotee's snowpack is characterized by a thick layer of weak, sugary snow buried near the base of the snowpack on all aspects and elevations. This problem is most sensitive on steep, rocky, and wind-affected slopes on the north half of the compass. Watch for thin spots in the snowpack where weak layers are easier to impact, and trench your sled track into the snow or probe to identify these areas. Multiple tracks on a slope are not an indicator of stability with this avalanche problem, particularly as we see more warming and sunshine each day. Watch for slopes with cornices overhead. Warm temperatures could cause cornices to collapse unexpectedly and act as a large trigger on slopes below. Use caution in steep terrain and give yourself a wide margin for error on slopes with high consequences or around terrain traps. 

    This persistent slab avalanche was snowmobile-triggered on an East aspect at 9000'. 

    (3/17/2024)

  • Loose Wet

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

    Stability within the snow will decrease as temperatures increase through the day. Over the past few days, warm temperatures have caused wet loose avalanches on sunny slopes, predominantly at middle elevations. These avalanches are possible again today. Wet loose avalanches usually begin at a "point", such as a rock or tree, and fan out wide collecting snow as they move downhill. Watch for areas where these avalanches can gather lots of snow or push into terrain traps. Rollerballs, or pinwheels peeling off exposed terrain, can help you identify weakening snow and the possibility of wet activity. Consider giving yourself options, including a safer, low-angled exit that is not threatened by the warming features above. 

    Recently, wet snow avalanches have been relatively small. As warm days continue and meltwater continues to work its way through the snowpack towards deeper weak layers, wet slab avalanches start to become of concern. Steep, thin south-facing slopes are the first places these avalanches might occur. While it may require at least one night without freezing before we see wet slab activity, these avalanches are difficult to predict and can be large. 

    Pinwheel formation off of south facing cliff bands. These are signs that the snowpack is becoming wet and unstable.

Avalanche Discussion

We are entering another day of warm temperatures in the mountains with sunny skies. While these are the ideal conditions for kicking back with sunglasses, a lounge chair, and good views, it also means our snowpack is melting. As the snow heats up, surface snow weakens and becomes more sensitive to avalanching. Meltwater also works its way into the snowpack, possibly activating deeper weak layers. Avalanches due to melt water are hard to predict. It's hard to know how much water is moving through the snowpack, or if it has established drainage channels, where it can make its way to the ground. The good news is, that we have had refreezes at night, locking up much of the snowpack. These cycles of freezing and thawing create excellent riding conditions, we just need to make sure we're off the steep slopes before it becomes too wet. Monitor the snowpack throughout the day, if you find yourself in slushy or unsupportable wet snow, it's probably time to move to safer terrain. 

Regions covered