Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
No rating
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 9 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Over a foot of new snow in the past 48 hours accompanied by moderate to strong winds have created dangerous avalanche conditions. Human triggered avalanches 1-2 feet deep are likely today in steep terrain at the upper elevations. Cracking and collapsing indicate unstable conditions. Stick to low angle terrain if these signs are present. Shallow early season conditions exist. Beware of obstacles buried just below the surface.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    The Togwotee zone picked up 5-8” inches of dense snow in the past 24 hours. Snowfall was accompanied by moderate to strong winds out of the northwest and west. Newly formed soft wind slabs with depths ranging from 1-2 feet will be reactive to the weight of a rider in steep, wind loaded terrain at the upper elevations today. These slabs will be deepest and most reactive in locations where the new snow overlays older weaker snow. An additional 4-6” of snowfall is forecasted today. Expect slabs to increase in size and sensitivity by day's end.

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Riders will also be able to trigger soft slabs in steep terrain that is sheltered from the wind. Recent snow has fallen on a variety of old snow surfaces including facets, crusts, and surface hoar. Storm slabs will be deepest in areas that were holding old snow from November and could break up to 2 feet deep in steep, shaded terrain at the upper elevations. Be aware that slabs may be triggered from a distance, or below, in these locations. Avalanche activity is less of a concern where the recent snow is falling on bare ground. Low snow coverage makes avalanche activity unlikely in terrain below 9,000’.

Avalanche Discussion

The first significant winter storm of the season is impacting the Togwotee Pass region. Elevated avalanche conditions today are the result of the rapid loading of new snow on old snow surfaces. Over a foot of snow containing approximately 1.2” inches of water has fallen in the past 48  hours. Windy conditions have amplified the loading which is stressing the generally weak snowpack that exists in shaded terrain above 8,500’. Avalanches are of greatest concern in any steep terrain where old snow from November exists. This includes a variety of aspects above 9,000’, but is particularly true on north through east facing terrain where the old surface was most continuous. Unfortunately, this is also the terrain that is currently holding the best riding conditions. Shooting cracks and audible collapses are good indicators that unstable conditions exist. Many observations of cracking and collapsing were reported yesterday. It is best to seek out low angle terrain (less than 30 degrees) if these signs are present. Elsewhere, the new snow is falling on bare ground or a very shallow and discontinuous snowpack. Avalanches are less of a concern in these locations. Shallow conditions exist in much of the terrain across the Togwotee region. Beware of rocks and logs lurking below the snow surface.

Regions covered