Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
No rating
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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist above 8,000 feet, and temperatures are starting out 10 to 15 degrees warmer than yesterday morning. Backcountry travelers choosing to enter steep avalanche terrain are likely to trigger small to large wind slabs, and natural activity is possible. Some potential exists for large to very large persistent deep slab avalanches. Plenty of great skiing and riding can easily be found in low consequence terrain. If you decide to travel in avalanche terrain today, expert snowpack and route finding skills will be required. Monitor the amount of new snow and be willing to alter your travel plans if continued loading occurs throughout the day. Below 8,000 feet, backcountry travelers might be able to trigger small isolated pockets of wind slab on steep, wind loaded terrain features.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Above 8,000 feet, skiers and riders entering steep, wind loaded avalanche terrain could easily trigger recently developed wind slabs with depths of one to three feet. Natural activity could also occur. These slabs are failing on old snow surfaces from the end of 2019 and on density breaks within the snowfall from the last storm cycle. They will also become more susceptible to failure throughout the day as new snow accumulates. Below 8,000 feet, skiers and riders might be able to trigger isolated pockets of soft slab up to 18 inches deep on steep, wind loaded terrain features.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3

    Persistent deep slab avalanches up to six feet in depth could be human triggered on weak faceted snow near the base of the snowpack. This persistent weak layer has been most active on northwest to northeast aspects above 8,500 feet but can be found on other aspects as well. These slabs could also step down from the release of a wind slab. Being caught in one of these dangerous slab avalanches could easily result in a fatality.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Expect cloud cover to quickly increase tonight followed by another round of snowfall spreading from the northwest to the southeast. By Saturday evening, another 6 to 12 inches of new snow could accumulate in the Tetons with a bit less in the other two forecast zones. Overnight lows in the mountains will remain in the single digits before rising into the mid-teens during the day. Westerly ridgetop winds will back to the southwest at 10 to 20 miles per hour.Avalanche conditions will remain dangerous in the mountains on Saturday, and the general avalanche hazard is expected to be Considerable. Skiers and riders entering steep, wind loaded avalanche terrain are likely to trigger recently developed wind slabs with depths of one to four feet, and natural activity could occur. These slabs are failing on old snow surfaces from the end of 2019 and on density breaks within the snowfall from the last storm cycle. It may also be possible to trigger a persistent deep slab avalanche. These very large avalanches could also step down from the release of a wind slab. Expert terrain and snowpack evaluation skills will be required for safe travel in avalanche terrain on Saturday, and plenty of great skiing and riding can easily be found in low consequence terrain. Moderate hazard is expected at the lower elevations. There, backcountry travelers could trigger pockets of wind slab one to two feet deep on very steep, wind loaded terrain features.

Regions covered