Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
No rating
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist. New snow and strong southwesterly winds have added load to a snowpack that has buried weak layers. Additional snowfall and strong winds that are to veer to the northwest during the day will further stress these weaknesses. Cautious route finding is recommended as human triggered avalanches are likely in steep avalanche terrain. Avalanches could occur in the form of soft wind slabs with depths to a foot above 8500 feet or as persistent slabs at all elevations, involving older weak snow that lies close to the ground.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2

    Persistent weak layers of faceted snow exist throughout the backcountry. Above 8500 feet these weaknesses could fail, causing large hard slabs with depths of two to four feet. At lower elevations the snowpack structure is poor and unsupportive. If triggered in this lower terrain, slabs will be smaller, soft and likely will involve faceted snow to the ground. The sensitivity of these weaknesses will also increase as additional snowfall and strong winds further load avalanche starting zones.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service. It is effective until 3pm Tuesday. Snow is expected with the heaviest snowfall to occur between 7 pm this evening and 3 am Tuesday. Approximately 10 inches of snow and nearly an inch of moisture is expected overnight. Winds are to increase to averages of 25 to 40 miles per hour and become westerly Tuesday morning. Snow is to diminish Tuesday morning as winds lessen and become northwesterly. Mountain temperatures are to rise from the low teens to the twenties. The general avalanche danger in the Teton and Southwest trails areas could increase to HIGH if both significant snowfall and strong winds occur. In the Togwotee pass area, the danger is likely to increase to Considerable. Wind slabs involving the new storm snow and possibly recent snow could be human triggered with depths to two feet in steep freshly loaded terrain. The primary focus and reason for conservative decision making involves buried persistent weak layers of faceted snow. Failure of these layers could result in very large avalanches at higher elevations or widespread smaller avalanches at lower elevations. Under these conditions, collapses in the snowpack could remotely trigger slides. Be sure to avoid being under suspect slopes.

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