Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
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Highlights

Several avalanche problems exist today. Today’s warm temperatures are expected to destabilize wind slabs that are up to 3 feet in depth as well as the cornices that have formed across all forecasting regions. Additionally, weak layers persist in the snowpack. Keep an eye on warming today, give cornices a wide margin, and carefully assess steep terrain before traveling on it or under it. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slabs up to 3 feet in depth still linger and may become easier to trigger as the day heats up. While winds have backed off recently, the slabs that were formed throughout the week are still a hazard. These avalanches have the potential to step down and trigger a larger persistent slab avalanche. 

    Cornice Fall: We often see cornices fail during big warm-ups in the spring. Today’s weather forecast is likely to destabilize the large cornices that have formed throughout the season. The early March snow and wind rapidly added to existing cornices and built new ones. Cornices often break further back than expected. Give these hazards a wide margin today, being on top of our underneath cornices is not recommended. 

     

    (3/8/2024)

    A photo taken yesterday shows recent wind slab avalanche on Mount Leidy.

    Cornices are visible on the ridges.

    Photo: Cameron Galt

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    The Togwotee Pass area has well-preserved weak snow buried all across the range. Persistent slab avalanches continue to be most likely triggered in areas where the snowpack is thinnest; steep, rocky and wind impacted terrain should be suspect. These layers often struggle with big weather events. The recent snow and wind added a lot of weight to the buried weak layers and today’s warming should raise concerns even if this area doesn’t get as warm as our other forecasting zones. This time of year we generally see persistent weak layers become more stable, however this is a slow process and large, destructive avalanches on these layers continue to be a possibility.

    A large natural avalanche on the Whale's Back of East Angle failed following the last storm.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Wet loose avalanches are the result of warming snow surfaces. They can run long distances on lower-angle terrain and are most common on aspects impacted by the sun. The weather today is expected to be warm and sunny. Monitor snow surfaces and avoid slopes that are being destabilized by thawing. As rocks and trees heat up, wet loose avalanches will increase in likelihood.

    Wet loose avalanche often fail near rock outcropings. In this image, the cliffs have heated up and impacted snow surfaces. Watch for this hazard today.

    Photo: Gabrielle Antonioli

Avalanche Discussion

Throughout the day today, some areas in our mountains can expect a 20° temperature swing . This month’s weather has delivered a lot of rapid change and today’s temperatures may be destabilizing. The avalanche problems that exist in the snowpack, both on the surface and buried deep within, could struggle. Wind slabs, cornices, and persistent slabs are likely to be easier to trigger as the day heats up. Keep an eye out for signs of rapid warming — thawing snow surfaces, roller balls, and snow shedding off trees are some of the indicators.

We are absolutely heartbroken to hear that over the last two days two avalanche forecasters have died in accidents, they worked for The Wallowa Avalanche Center and The Northwest Avalanche Center. Our most heartfelt condolences go out to their friends and family. The presence of these two will be truly missed in the mountains and their communities.

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