Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
No rating
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired last year. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Conditions are generally safe where snowpack surfaces are frozen hard. The odds of triggering a large avalanche have become less likely. Use safe group travel practices and exercise caution on shady upper-elevation slopes that have remained wind-swept or variably shallow all season. Give sagging cornices a wide berth. 

Avalanche problems

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    Triggering a large avalanche on weak snow is unlikely, but not impossible. Weak layers of faceted snow exist in the middle of the snowpack and near the ground on most slopes. Avalanches involving these layers will be 2-3 feet deep and up to 5 feet deep on heavily wind-affected slopes. Signs of instability such as cracking, collapsing, or recent avalanches will likely not be present before triggering a large avalanche capable of propagating long distances. You're most likely to trigger an avalanche where the snowpack is thinnest. Very steep (>35°), rocky, convex terrain remains suspect. Multiple tracks on a slope do not indicate stability with this problem type. Manage your risk by limiting your time on very steep slopes previously loaded by the wind, and steer clear of any areas that appear visibly shallow or where it's easy to find the ground with your sled track.

Avalanche Discussion

The name of the game today will continue to be those "spring-variable" conditions we all know and love. Anywhere from 0-4" of snowfall is expected to fall today. Expect to find more snow as you climb higher in elevation, and unless you're starting above 7,000 feet, expect to also encounter rain. Below is a list of conditions that you could encounter, especially if your backcountry adventures take you to steep, consequential terrain:

  • Shallow, north-facing slopes should still be regarded cautiously. The odds of triggering a large avalanche remain, as listed in the problem above.
  • Snow may still be wet, even with cooler conditions. Last evening bode well for a hard surface refreeze; however, cloudy overnight conditions generally keep wet, unsupportable snow from refreezing very well. That said, any wet avalanche activity should taper today without direct sunshine.  
  • Loose snow avalanches. New snow in the alpine will fall on top of crusts that exist pretty much everywhere. Today's forecasted colder temperatures and wind should help the new snow to glue onto these crusts. In areas of higher snow accumulation, you may encounter relatively small sluffs, particularly if the sun manages to pop out at any time. Pay attention to the terrain above you.
  • Fresh wind slabs. Small, isolated slabs could exist on firm surfaces by late today. These will be most common in upper elevation terrain and fairly easy to identify. 
  • Cornices. Nobody likes these. They can break in surprising ways, even on colder days. I find that the best practice in spring is to steer clear of being too near an edge or under one of these features. 

 

If you see avalanche activity today, please consider submitting an observation HERE. Observations allow everyone to gain a better and more complete understanding of conditions. Thanks!

Regions covered