Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
No rating
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The primary concern remains persistent deep slab avalanches. While these large to very large slides are trending towards unlikely, the consequences remain high. Large triggers, such as snowmobiles, are more likely to trigger one of these deadly avalanches. Skiers and riders might be able to trigger a small pocket of wind slab in steep terrain near upper elevation ridgelines that were not impacted by the sun yesterday. On sunlit aspects, shallow wet slides involving the recent snowfall will become possible as the day warms. While small, these slides have the potential to sweep skiers and riders over cliff bands or carry them down steep, sustained couloirs. This kind of terrain should be avoided during the heat of the day.

Avalanche problems

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak, faceted snow exists near the base of the snowpack, and backcountry travelers still have some potential of triggering persistent deep slab avalanches above 8,000 feet. The most likely scenario to trigger one of these slides is for a skier or rider to hit a weak shallow zone in the snowpack. A failure there can propagate into deeper snow resulting in a slide that could be up to 5 feet deep and easily cause serious injury or death.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Expect mostly clear skies on Friday. Slight temperature inversions could develop overnight with lows in the single digits at all elevations. As the day warms, the mountains will rise into the upper 20s as the valleys climb into the mid-30s. Northeasterly ridgetop winds will range from 5 to 15 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Low in the Tetons. Skiers and riders might be able to trigger a small, isolated pocket of wind slab in steep terrain near upper elevation ridgelines that were not impacted by the sun today. On sunlit aspects, shallow wet slides involving the recent snowfall will become possible as the day warms. While small, these slides have the potential to sweep skiers and riders over cliff bands or carry them down steep, sustained couloirs. This kind of terrain should be avoided during the heat of the day.In the Togwotee Pass and Southwest Trails forecast zones, the general avalanche hazard is expected to remain Moderate. Similar slides to those in the Tetons involving the recent snowfall will be possible. While large to very large deep persistent slab avalanches are trending towards unlikely, the consequences remain high. Large triggers, such as snowmobiles, are more likely to trigger one of these deadly avalanches, particularly if you hit a shallow spot in the snowpack.

Regions covered