Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
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Highlights

New snow and wind have created dangerous avalanche conditions. Human triggered avalanches are likely in steep terrain above 8,000’ today. Slabs will be most sensitive in wind affected terrain. Natural avalanches are also possible. Travel in avalanche terrain requires careful route finding, keeping slope angles below 30 degrees, and an awareness of the terrain above.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Over a foot of new snow and moderate winds in the past 48 hours have created unstable conditions. Human triggered avalanches are likely in steep, wind-loaded terrain at the mid and upper elevations. However, avalanches in sheltered terrain are possible today as well. Slabs will be up to 1 foot deep in sheltered areas and up to 2 feet deep in wind-loaded terrain. Cracking, collapsing, and recent avalanches are all signs of an unstable snowpack. Dialing back slope angles to less than 30°, avoiding steep roll overs/gullies, and making conservative travel plans is a good idea today.

    Natural avalanches are possible today and could run long distances. Because of this, it is important to give avalanche paths a wide berth and be aware of the terrain that lies above. This includes groomed snowmobile trails that cross under avalanche terrain. A large natural avalanche was reported yesterday on the east face of Two Ocean Mountain.

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak snow that formed in early December is now buried 2-3 feet deep and remains a threat today. Avalanches involving these weak layers are most likely in terrain steeper than 30° that lies on the north half of the compass. New snow avalanches have the potential to step down to these layers, producing large and dangerous avalanches. While widespread avalanche activity involving weak snow near the ground is not likely today, significant loading has occurred over the past 24 hours and is certainly testing the strength of the lower snowpack. Making a conservative travel plan is a good idea today given the uncertainty associated with the buried weak layers deeper in the snowpack.

    An avalanche failing on weak snow in the Togwotee area. Terrain traps like this gully should be avoided today.

Avalanche Discussion

Close to 10” of new snow has fallen since yesterday afternoon in the Togwotee pass area. Four day storm totals are sitting around 20” of snow containing 2” of Snow Water Equivalent. The rapid loading that occurred last night is stressing a weak snowpack. Expect human triggered avalanches in steep terrain today. While avalanches will be most likely in places that have experienced wind loading, don’t rule out avalanches that fail in surprising locations or ways. Widely propagating avalanches and triggering from a distance will be possible today. Expect to be surprised and build in some margin of safety to account for this uncertainty. Consider the terrain above you as natural activity is possible given the recent rapid load. Good riding and safer conditions can be found on low angle slopes (less than 30°) today.

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

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