Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Wind and snow overnight make triggering an avalanche possible in steep, upper-elevation terrain, especially as sunny slopes warm today. Several layers of weak snow are buried deeper in the snowpack, and though unlikely, you could trigger a larger avalanche on these weak layers. Steep, sunny and rocky slopes will have the greatest avalanche hazard today as wind slabs weaken and snow becomes wet. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    The high April sun will work quickly on snow surfaces today. Mountain temperatures have remained well below freezing over the past 5 days with 4-6" new snow falling during that time and much more snow laying around on shady aspects. This snow will heat up today, making wind slabs more sensitive before getting wet enough to release naturally, through roller ball action, tree bombs, or p[oint releases from rocky areas. This avalanche problem is unlikely to bury a person but coudl easily drag you somewhere you'd rather not go.

    (4/4/2024)

    A D1.5 wet loose avalanche. Wet loose avalanches often start at a point, near exposed rocks or trees, and fan out. 

    Photo: Cameron Galt

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Snow showers in the past 24 hour made more snow available to the wind last night. Expect to see fresh wind slabs and even larger cornices today. Be alert for textured surfaces and terrain features that might hide a cross-loaded pillow. Textured surfaces today are likely to be from winds overnight, making the slabs recent and more sensitive than the older, glued on wind slabs. 

    Angle Mountain (4/7/2024)

    Isolated cracking observed in wind drifted new snow along upper elevation ridge lines.

    Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Triggering a persistent slab avalanche on weak snow buried 2-4 feet deep is unlikely but not out of the question yet. The most probable areas to trigger a persistent slab avalanche includesteep, rocky, and wind-affected slopes on the north half of the compass. These areas contain thin, shallow spots where riders can easily impact weak layers. Shallower snow is also found east of the continental divide and south towards the Gros Ventre Range. Previous tracks on a slope are not an indicator of stability. Use caution in steep terrain and give yourself a wide margin of error on slopes with high consequences or near terrain traps. Move to low-angle terrain to avoid this problem. 

    The last known persistent slab avalanche occurred on 3/16 in Upper Deception Creek. On 3/19, a wet slab avalanche failing on these persistent weak layers occurred on Breccia. More avalanches such as these are possible during spring warm-ups and may span the border between a wet slab and a persistent slab problem. However, both will be equally destructive avalanche types.

    A snowmobile-triggered persistent slab avalanche occurred in Upper Deception Creek on 3/16.

Avalanche Discussion

Warm temperatures have made large mammals more active lately. If you head out to enjoy the clear and warm weather, consider bringing bear spray to round out the more typical PPE that includes an avalanche beacon on your person, and a probe and shovel in your pack. Also, rememebr that most snowmbile trails are no longer being groomed and have had marker wands removed. In most places, it's still pretty easy to follow the old groomed trail. In wind swept meadows, navigating may be a little more complicated. 

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