Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
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Highlights

Heavy snowfall and wind have created very dangerous avalanche conditions. Human-triggered avalanches are very likely and may break down into buried weak layers. Travel in, near, or below avalanche terrain is not recommended today. 

 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Recent heavy snowfall and wind will form sensitive slab avalanches 2-4 feet thick in upper-elevation terrain. Over the past 24 hrs, continual light-moderate southwest winds have transported large amounts of new snow through the mountains. With sustained moderate winds expected today, slopes will continue to actively load throughout the day. 

    Avoid areas susceptible to wind affect such as ridgelines,  steep exposed slopes, and gullies. Cracking, stiffened/ textured surfaces, large pillows/ drifts, and actively blowing snow are all signs of wind-loaded terrain. Stay out of avalanche terrain - travel in low-angle, sheltered terrain to avoid wind-affected snow. 

    Storm slab avalanches are likely on all elevations. Over the past 24 hours, heavy snowfall has created slabs 1-2 feet thick through the mountains. Watch for steep terrain that is not obviously wind-affected, especially near gullies, roadcuts, and large exposed slopes. 

    (3/1/2024)

    Human-triggered cornice fall along a ridgeline at ~9000'. Winds loaded this ridgeline in a short period. 

    Photo: Cameron Galt

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–3

    Weak snow at the base of the snowpack is stressed from new snow loading and wind. Yesterday Togwotee received up to 22” of new snow with moderate winds creating a significant load on the snowpack. Persistent slabs are easier to trigger when they experience loading - especially where the snowpack is thinner. Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected terrain. If triggered, slabs could be up to 5 feet thick and may break in unexpected ways. 

    The snowpack is capable of producing very large avalanches. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. Avoid being on or under any slope steeper than 30 degrees. 

    Recent rider-triggered activity at middle elevations of Togwotee Pass. 

    Photo: Gabrielle Antonioli

Avalanche Discussion

 A large amount of snow has March-ed into the mountains over the past day. Depending on your location, you will likely find 1-2 feet of new snow with more on the way. Winds tapered off through the night but are expected to ramp up through the day today, pushing all the new snow around. All the fresh snow came in quickly, and the weight it’s putting on the already weak snowpack will increase the chance of avalanches. Natural and human-triggered avalanches will be increasingly likely until we give the snowpack time (days) to adjust. 

Avalanches could happen in multiple ways today. They could break within the new snow or where new snow sits on top of old snow. As moderate winds load up the slopes today, these avalanches could be deeper than reported snow totals (larger than 2 feet). Avalanches breaking within the new snow will be most sensitive during and after a storm. Give the snow time to settle. 

Avalanches could break down into older buried weak layers of snow. Togwotee has an overall thinner snowpack meaning impacting buried weak layers will be easier. The weight of the new snow only increases the sensitivity of weak layers. It can be hard to know exactly how these avalanches will behave during a storm, so give them the benefit of the doubt. Stay away from steep slopes, including run-out zones of avalanches. Think about stepping back and traveling cautiously in the backcountry today. Take the time to evaluate your surroundings; even a small slope into a terrain trap could be deadly. Protected low-angle slopes will be lots of fun today. 

Yesterday, a skier at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort died after falling into a tree well. This is the second snow immersion death in two weeks. Our sincerest condolences go to his friends and family.

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