Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
No rating
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Highlights

Today’s conditions are consistent with yesterday. Wind slab, cornice fall, persistent slab, and wet loose avalanches are all hazards that exist in the Togwotee Pass area. The weather may increase the likelihood of avalanches throughout the day, travel on or under slopes that show signs of warming should be avoided.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slabs, paired with cornice fall, continue to be the primary avalanche problem due to recent weather and the warm temperatures in today’s forecast. These problems live on the surface and are easily impacted by warm, sunny weather. Cornices often fail during spring thaws and can release naturally as well as from a human trigger. These hazards are widespread, having been built throughout the season on most ridgelines. Additionally, wind slabs from last week’s storms may fail up to two feet in depth. Wind slabs and cornice falls may cause deeper failures, triggering persistent weak layers that are buried in the snowpack.

    An example of a large avalanche likely triggered by cornice fall. 

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    The snowpack in the Togwotee Pass area is characterized by weak, faceted snow that has been buried and well-preserved. There are multiple weak layers in this snowpack including depth hoar that sits at the base. These avalanche problems are typically problematic in the Togwotee area as this range has shallow and cold snow. Unfortunately, we expect these layers to persist throughout the entire season. To completely avoid this problem, stay out of and away from avalanche terrain.

    Persistent slab avalanches are most likely to be triggered in steep, rocky terrain. They have the potential to be large, destructive slides.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Wet loose activity was observed throughout the mountains yesterday on solar aspects. These avalanches are caused by warming snow surfaces and often initiate near rocks or trees that have been heated by the sun. Watch for signs of warming. Indicators include wet or thawing snow surfaces, roller balls or pinwheels, and trees shedding their snow.  

    Pinwheel formation off of south facing cliff bands.

    Photo: Noah McCorkel

Avalanche Discussion

Warm temperatures will continue to impact the snowpack today. Spring-like weather can make avalanches easier to trigger. The problems that exist on the surface of the snow, wind slab and cornice fall, are often weakened by rapid warming like we expect today. As snow surfaces thaw, wet loose slides also become more likely. Additionally the weak layers buried in the snowpack continue to have the potential to produce large, destructive avalanches and may be triggered by wind slabs, cornices, or wet loose slides. The weight of a single skier or rider can also trigger persistent slab avalanches in the Togwotee Pass area. If traveling in the mountains today avoid cornices, monitor for changing/warming conditions, and mind the persistent slab problem by avoiding the terrain where they are most likely to be triggered; steep, rocky, or wind impacted terrain are common problem areas.

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