Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Highlights

Avalanche conditions are becoming dangerous. New snow and wind have built sensitive slabs 1 foot thick on weak snow surfaces at all elevations. These slabs will grow larger - and more sensitive - as snowfall and strong winds continue. Choose terrain < 30º to reduce your risk. 

The NWS has issued a Winter Storm Warning that is in effect until Sunday, 11:00 PM

 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Southwest winds with up to 7 inches of new snow have built wind slabs up to 1 foot thick on leeward slopes. These slabs formed on top of a variety of surfaces including facets and crusts and may be sensitive to the weight of a human. Expect the sensitivity and size of these slabs to increase as snowfall and strong winds continue today. Slabs will be thicker at upper elevations where snowfall totals and winds are higher.  Use caution in terrain where wind slabs typically form - ridgelines, cross-loaded gullies, and leeward slopes. Watch for obvious signs of unstable snow such as cracking, collapsing, or recent avalanches. The formation of drifts, fresh cornices, or blowing snow will give you an early indication of where slabs may be forming. Pay attention to rapidly changing conditions as the storm continues today. Seeking lower-angle terrain will help reduce your risk. 

    Storm snow instabilities may be found in terrain sheltered from the wind as snowfall amounts approach 1 foot. Assume that the new snow will be unstable while traveling in the mountains. Use safe travel practices today, and keep an eye out for terrain traps where even a small avalanche can have large consequences.

    (1/17/2025)

    An example of wind transport near Barbers Point in the Togwotee zone. 

    Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak snow remains buried 1-3 feet on Togwotee. While it is unlikely that you will trigger an avalanche on this weak layer, consequences remain high. It has been 4 weeks since an avalanche was reported at these depths. The most likely trigger points are in very steep upper-elevation terrain exposed to the wind.

     

     

    (1/16/2025)

    An example of terrain where persistent slab avalanches are most likely.

    Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

A prolonged period of dry weather has come to an end. This dry period created a variety of snow surfaces with a range of distributions. Crusts on west-south-east aspects, weak faceted snow on west-north-east, stiff windboard on east-north-west in the upper elevations, and facets on many aspects in the lower elevations. Regardless of the previous snow surface, you can expect to find instability within the new snow today. Continued snowfall throughout the day will continue loading slopes, and you'll likely find rapidly changing conditions. Slopes that may have shown no signs of instability in the morning could produce avalanches by the afternoon. Areas that are subject to strong winds will be more prone to avalanching. Today is a good day to stick to lower-angled terrain and use avoidance as the primary tactic for managing new snow instability.

If you see avalanche activity today, I ask that you please consider submitting an observation HERE. Observations allow everyone to gain a better and more complete understanding of conditions. Thanks!

Regions covered