Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

It will be possible to trigger avalanches involving new snow as well as deeper weak layers today. Slab depths will range from 6 inches to 3 feet. Steep wind loaded terrain in the upper elevations will be most suspect. Careful assessment of the snowpack will be necessary when approaching avalanche terrain today.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    New snow amounts over the last 2 days vary from 3 inches at Brooks Lake to 9 inches at Angle Mountain. The combination of new snow with wind in upper elevation starting zones is creating the potential for triggering avalanches up to 1 foot in depth. This is not a widespread problem, but one that is isolated to leeward aspects in areas that received higher new snow amounts. In these areas it will be important to watch for signs of unstable snow, including shooting cracks and collapsing. Approach terrain cautiously and dial down slope angles if you are seeing or experiencing those obvious signs of instability.

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    The persistent slab problem has not gone away.  Weak snow that formed in November and December sits beneath dense slabs 1-3 feet thick. While the likelihood of triggering slabs on these layers has been on a downward trend, the possibility remains, particularly on steep terrain on the north half of the compass. Avalanches involving the new snow have the potential to step down to these deeper layers. This will be more likely in steep sustained terrain where new snow avalanches can entrain enough snow to activate these deeper layers.

    Double propagation!

    Photo: Noah McCorkel

Avalanche Discussion

Springtime-like weather over the last week has both tested and allowed the deeper weak layers to gain some strength. Daily heating weakened snow surfaces and contributed to some avalanche activity. Nighttime cooling allowed for a strengthening of those deeper interfaces. Weak layer formation on the surface occurred in the form of facets and surface hoar, primarily in terrain shaded and sheltered from the wind. Terrain in the lower elevations and on the southern half of the compass developed both melt freeze and sun crusts. The new snow is now sitting on these varied surfaces. Checking the bonding between the new snow and the old snow will be important today. Quick tests such as hand pits and crossing small test slopes are useful ways to determine how well the new snow is sticking to these surfaces.

Regions covered