Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
No rating
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

It is possible to trigger an avalanche 2-3 feet thick on steep slopes at all elevations. Continue to stay alert where the snowpack is thinner - especially in rocky areas and on wind-affected snow. You will find a thinner snowpack east of the Continental Divide. Watch for shallow slabs where winds have transported new snow.

Cornices are large and currently sensitive to triggering.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    The persistent slab problem is found on all elevations and primarily on west through north through east aspects. The snow at the base of the snowpack remains weak and is now 2-3 feet below the surface. Use caution around steep, rocky, or wind-affected terrain. These areas often have a thinner snowpack, increasing your likelihood of impacting a buried weak layer. As you travel, take time to dig or probe to identify snow depth and the presence of weak layers. Hard snow over soft snow indicates a buried weak layer. Remember,  persistent slab avalanches may be triggered remotely from below, above, and to the side and may propagate in unexpected ways. When in doubt, stick to low-angle terrain under 30 degrees. 

    Light snowfall and wind over the past couple of days have caused cornices to continue growing. Cornices can break unexpectedly and may act as a large trigger impacting deep weak layers. As temperatures rise through the day, the likelihood of triggering a cornice or slab increases. Minimize time spent on slopes with cornices overhead.

    (2/20/2024)

    Recent avalanche activity near Angle Mountain on a SW aspect. 

    Photo: Gabrielle Antonioli

  • Wind Slabs

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

    You may find wind slabs 1-2 feet thick in isolated areas along ridgelines in high-elevation exposed terrain.  Though the likelihood of triggering a wind slab has decreased, they are still stressing weak layers buried in the snow. Watch for signs of wind-affected snow such as cornices, pillows, and textured surfaces.  As winds continue today, new snow may create thin soft slabs on convexities, gullies, and exposed terrain.  Shooting cracks and collapsing indicate unstable snow conditions. 

    Cornices have continued to grow and can break apart without warning. Triggering a cornice or small windslab may start a larger avalanche on bruised weak layers. As temperatures rise through the day, cornices will become easier to trigger and may break further back than expected. Give ridgelines plenty of space and watch for slopes with cornices hanging overhead.

    Large cornice formation above an east-facing slope. 

    Photo: Cameron Galt

Avalanche Discussion

Pay attention to the weather throughout the day. Changes in the wind or temperature can change snow conditions on a day-to-day basis. With scattered snow storms passing over Togwotee yesterday and shifting winds, shallow isolated slabs could be found through the forecast region. The distribution of these small slabs could vary greatly depending on your location, so stay alert as you travel through the day. While small, these soft slabs will have the ability to push a rider off their feet or machine. This could be especially problematic in more consequential terrain where cliffs and steep slopes are below you. 

Over the past couple of days, there have been multiple avalanches identified that failed on persistent weak layers on solar aspects. These avalanches are multiple days old at this point, and most likely occurred during the initial phase of our warming trend. These avalanches demonstrate that the persistent weak layer is still a problem around Togwotee, and can be found on any aspect and elevation. Gaining knowledge of the snowpack can greatly improve your ability to avoid this problem. Take the time to dig into the snow, probe around, and read the observations page to develop an understanding of where the problems might be. The easiest way to avoid this problem is to stick to low-angle terrain, away from steep slopes. 

 

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