Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
No rating
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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The avalanche danger will rise throughout the day as wind continues to redistribute snow. Dangerous avalanche conditions exist at all elevations.  Human-triggered avalanches will be likely in steep, rocky, wind-affected terrain. Small avalanches could step down and affect deeper weak layers buried 2-4 feet deep. Travel in low-angle, sheltered terrain while the snowpack adjusts.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Several days of high wind and snow have built sensitive wind slabs at all elevations in exposed terrain. Increasing wind throughout the day will continue to build slabs and create dangerous conditions and touchy slabs. Wind slabs up to 2 feet thick will be located along ridgelines, beneath rocky outcrops, and on crossroads terrain features like gullies. These slabs may be larger than anticipated and break further back or larger than you might think. Watch for obvious pillows, drifts, dense snow and hollow-sounding slabs. Cracking and collapsing are sure signs of this problem. Seek out sheltered terrain where there is less wind-affected snow.

    (2/22/2024)

    Recent avalanche activity in the Togwotee Pass area.

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Recent loading and wind have stressed an already weak snowpack. You are most likely to trigger an avalanche on steep, rocky wind-affected terrain where the snowpack is thin. The persistent slab problem exists on all aspects at upper elevations and west through north through east aspects at middle elevations. Weak snow buried 2 to 4 feet could be impacted by the weight of a single rider, causing a large and destructive avalanche.  The avalanche danger will continue to rise with a little more snow and increasing wind this afternoon. Dig down or probe to verify or deny the presence of weak sugary snow. Choose lower-angle slopes to ride and watch out for terrain traps where even small avalanches will have high consequences.

    Cornices have continued to grow. Minimize time spent on slopes with cornices looming overhead. Cornices can break unexpectedly and can crack further back than you expect along ridgelines. A large cornice falling into a persistent slab problem will act as a large trigger and possibly trigger a large avalanche. Give cornices a wide berth.

    (2/22/2024)

    A snowpit dug near the crown of a recent avalanche shows the weak snow a the bottom of the snowpack.

Avalanche Discussion

The structure of the snowpack remains poor with widespread weak layers lurking on many aspects and elevations. With the additional weight of new snow and increased wind loading, the sensitivity of these slabs has gone up along with the likelihood of triggering an avalanche. Choose conservative terrain as the snowpack adjusts to new snow.

Please continue to send in your observations, even if it is just an avalanche you see from the road. These observations are extremely helpful in anticipating the avalanche hazard, especially on Togwotee where there is uncertainty stemming from snowpack variability and a lack of observations. Thanks in advance! 

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