Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
No rating
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Out of date — this forecast expired 10 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Mountain temperatures are close to 10 degrees warmer than yesterday morning. Above 7,500 feet, skiers and riders entering avalanche terrain could trigger recently developed wind slabs with greatly varying depths. As the day progresses, daytime warming, abundant sunshine and the absence of strong winds will all combine to increase the likelihood of triggering these slides, particularly on sunlit aspects. Afternoon warmth will also bring back the chance for wet slides, and cornice failures will become more likely as well. The chance of triggering full depth avalanches on northerly aspects above 9,000 feet persists. Monitor the extent to which the surface of the snowpack is warming, and seek out shaded terrain when snow surfaces become damp or crusts begin to break down.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    The Togwotee Pass area received over five inches of snow water equivalent during the last storm cycle. Very strong southwesterly to westerly ridgetop winds accompanied this snowfall, and dense wind slabs have formed above 7,500 feet. These slabs could fail on density breaks or graupel layers within the recent snowfall. Faceted snow from January can also be found in some areas. This scenario results in slab depths ranging anywhere from six inches to three feet. Daytime warming will increase the likelihood of triggering these slides, and natural activity could become possible in the afternoon.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    The chance remains for backcountry travelers to trigger very large deep slab avalanches on northerly aspects above 9,000 feet. If triggered, these dangerous hard slabs could involve the full depth of the snowpack. These slabs could be triggered by larger loads such as snow machines or groups of people, or step down from the release of wind slabs.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Skies will be mostly clear as a ridge of high pressure remains over the region. Overnight lows in the mountains will be near 10 degrees before rising into the upper 20s during the day. Valley temperatures will dip below zero by sunrise before rebounding to near freezing in the afternoon. Ridgetop winds will veer to the north at 5 to 15 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Considerable on Monday. Backcountry travelers entering steep avalanche terrain could trigger wind slabs on a variety of aspects above 7,500 feet. These slabs could fail on density breaks within the recent snowfall or down to graupel layers that fell during the previous storm cycle. This scenario results in slab depths ranging anywhere from six inches to four or five feet. As the day warms, these slides will become more susceptible to failure, especially on sunlit aspects. Afternoon warmth will also bring back the chance for wet slides, and cornice failures will become more likely as well. In the Togwotee Pass area, a chance lingers to trigger full depth avalanches on northerly aspects above 9,000 feet.

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