Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

A very large cycle of avalanche activity has occurred of the past several days. Three avalanche problems will confront backcountry travelers today. First, skiers and riders are likely to trigger small to large, recently developed wind slabs above 7,500 feet. Second, wet slabs will be possible below 9,000 feet. Finally, the chance persists to trigger full depth avalanches on shaded aspects above 9,000 feet. Cautious route finding and careful snowpack evaluation will be essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2–3

    In the last week, the Togwotee Pass area has received over five inches of snow water equivalent. Very strong southwesterly to westerly ridgetop winds have accompanied this snowfall. This scenario has formed dense wind slabs above 7,500 feet. These slides could fail on density breaks within the recent snowfall, and possibly down to layers of faceted snow from January. Slab depths could reach three feet if failure occurs on deeper layers. If afternoon sun occurs, the likelihood of these slides will increase.

  • Wet Slabs

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

    While the surface of the snowpack froze overnight, the upper portion is still saturated, warm and wet. Below 9,000, skiers and riders could trigger wet slabs involving the majority of the snowpack. Wet loose sluffs will also be possible. If mostly clear skies prevail in the afternoon, the likelihood of triggering these slides will increase and natural activity will become possible.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3

    The chance continues for backcountry travelers to trigger very large deep slab avalanches on northerly aspects above an elevation of 9,000 feet. If triggered, these dangerous hard slabs could involve the full depth of the snowpack. These slabs could be triggered by larger loads such as snow machines or groups of people or step down from the release of wind slabs.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )The stream of moist air from the southwest will shift to the east, and snowfall will decrease over the area from the northwest to the southeast. Overnight temperatures in the mountains will be in the mid teens before rising into the upper teens during the day. The valleys will drop into the low 20s by the early morning hours and remain below freezing throughout the day. Westerly ridgetop winds will range from 20 to 30 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard could drop to Considerable on Saturday depending on the amount of new snow received overnight and the degree to which temperatures cool. Skiers and riders venturing into avalanche terrain will still be likely to trigger large to very large avalanches with slab depths up to four feet. If the hazard remains High, TRAVEL IN AVALANCHE TERRAIN IS NOT RECOMMENDED.

Regions covered