Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
No rating
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The avalanche danger is Moderate above 9,000 feet today. New snow and wind in the last 24 hours has formed shallow wind slabs that may be sensitive to human triggers. Persistent layers buried deeper in the snowpack hold the potential to produce larger avalanches in steep terrain. With this combination in mind it will be important to approach terrain cautiously today. The danger is Low below 9,000 feet where shallow wet loose avalanches will be possible in steep sunlit terrain and be low in volume. In these areas pay attention to snow surfaces and move off of slopes as the snow becomes damp.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    3-5” of new snow fell in the mountains yesterday. This snow was accompanied by strong winds. The wind shifted from south in the morning to northwest in the afternoon. This has helped to form slabs on a variety of aspects above 9,000 feet. These slabs will be less than a foot in depth and be easier to trigger in steep terrain receiving direct sunlight. Triggering a wind slab may be enough to create added stress and step down to deeper weak layers today.

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak layers that formed during an extended dry spell in January and February have the potential be reactive in steep terrain above 9,000 feet. A series of storms in the month of March gradually developed shallow slabs over those weak layers. Those layers are now buried 1-2 feet deep. Terrain that had avalanched in early January appears to be the most likely type of slope to produce larger avalanches today. Knowing where these paths are can be helpful, but it is simpler to consider all steep terrain above 9,000 feet guilty until proven innocent. Typical warning signs such as collapsing and cracking may not occur prior to triggering.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Lingering snow showers will continue into the evening hours and taper off by morning. New snowfall amounts will be in the trace to 2” range. Between 8,000 and 9,000 feet overnight low temperatures will be in the teens and rise into the high twenties to low thirties tomorrow. Winds will be out of the northwest at 15-20 mph. Cloud cover will decrease overnight, with partly cloudy conditions expected tomorrow.In The Southwest Trails and Tetons the danger will remain Moderate above 8,000 feet. Wind slabs up to 1 foot in depth will be possible to trigger in steep wind loaded terrain. Deeper weak layers will remain a threat and allow for slabs up to 3 feet in depth to be triggered and carry significant consequences. Below 8,000 feet avalanches will be unlikely and the danger will remain Low.In the Togowotee Pass/Continental Divide forecast area the danger will remain Moderate above 9,000 feet. It will be possible to trigger isolated pockets of wind slab in steep terrain. Similar to the other forecast areas the more significant threat will be for triggering slabs sitting on persistent weak layers buried up to 2 feet in depth. Below 9,000 feet avalanches will be unlikely and the danger will remain Low.

Regions covered