Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Weak layers are buried in the snowpack 1-3 feet deep across all aspects and elevations. Although these layers have become less reactive over time, triggering an avalanche that could bury a person is still possible on steep terrain where a slab exists over the weak layer. Evaluate the snowpack by observing signs of instability such as cracking and collapsing before committing to steep slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Persistent weak layers formed during November are buried 1-3 feet deep across all aspects and elevations. The likelihood of triggering these layers has decreased over time, but the poor snowpack structure still exists. The combination of well developed facets with a cohesive slab will increase the likelihood of triggering an avalanche. Areas to evaluate closely for instability are those where a slab has formed by settlement or stiffened by the wind. 

    (12/5/2022)

    Snowpack on Two Ocean at 10,500' 

    Photo: Alex Drinkard

Avalanche Discussion

Across all aspects and elevations persistent weak layers are buried 1-3 feet deep. Cold and mostly dry conditions in November created weak faceted snow on northerly aspects. Southerly aspects contain melt freeze crusts with poor bonding structure to the upper portion of the snowpack. These persistent weak layers are sensitive to triggering in areas containing a shallow snowpack with well developed facets including low to mid elevations. Although the entire snowpack contains weak structure, avalanches will be difficult to trigger without a slab. Additional areas with increased sensitivity will be where wind has stiffened the snowpack across all elevations creating hard slabs. Careful assessment of terrain will be necessary to identify where the combination of buried weak layers and slab formations exist.

Regions covered