Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
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Highlights

Wind slabs that formed earlier in the week remain a problem and new snow and wind today won't help. You’re most likely to encounter a slab that you could trigger in upper-elevation terrain, particularly where they are resting on slick crusts or on weak snow closer to the ground.  Increasing snow and wind will impact snow surfaces, potentially leading to easier-to-trigger wind slabs. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Wind-blown snow that fell Monday continues to add stress to persistent weak layers buried 2-3 feet deep as well as at the ground. These layers are widespread at middle and upper elevations and are responsible for the majority of recorded avalanches so far this season. Consider terrain traps beneath you and look for signs of wind blown snow like drifting and cornices. Wind slab avalanches could involve more snow than expected due to the weak layers beneath.

    New snow and wind later today and this evening will combine to form fresh wind slabs. These slabs should be very small but will lie on a variety of snow surfaces, including, but not limited to, near surface facets, wind board, wind skin, and sun crusts. 

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Early-season persistent weak layers are widespread throughout this zone. In the deeper portions of this zone, these layers are typically found in the bottom half of the snowpack and have been showing better stability. In the middle elevations and shallower areas, the weak snow near the ground is especially pronounced and produced. You're likely to find weak layers near the ground as well as sandwiched between old wind slabs. 

    Triggering a persistent slab avalanche remains possible in terrain with the following characteristics:

    • Steep: slopes in prime-time avalanche terrain around 35-45 degrees.
    • Wind-affected: heavily wind-loaded by past or recent wind events.
    • Alpine flavor: complex, windswept terrain with rock ribs, cliff bands, or convexities.

    (2/11/2023)

    Brush Creek Avalanche showing a surface snow avalanche and additional, weaker snow layers breaking near the ground. 

Avalanche Discussion

Reported avalanche activity on buried weak layers has been mostly limited to several days following new snow. Strong winds and new snow on Monday may have set the stage for some more human-triggered avalanches today. Be mindful of those weak layers, especially in big terrain or when riding above terrain traps. Wind speeds were high enough that slabs may appear firm and stubborn which may make them break wider and further above you than you might expect. 

Western Wyoming has been under dry zonal flow for the last 24 hours and has gone over 72 hours without measureable snowfall. This zonal flow will veer to the NW and a shortwave trough will swing through the area beginning this afternoon. The last storm system rolled through on Monday the 13th and was followed by strong northerly winds in the post frontal regime.

 

Regions covered