Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago.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

Highlights

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist. Above 8,500 feet, large to very large avalanches could be triggered by a single person crossing a thin area of the slab. It will be hard to determine a slope's stability as it could be crossed many times before it fails and results in severe to deadly consequences. At the upper elevations, small to large wind slab avalanches on leeward slopes could be triggered and then initiate failure on deeper layers creating a much larger avalanche. These surface slabs may become more reactive during the warmest portions of the day. Careful route finding and travel techniques avoiding avalanche runouts and being below avalanche terrain will be essential to safely move through the mountains today. At the lower elevations, human-triggered avalanches are possible on steep terrain features.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Slab depths, over the December 5th interface of weak faceted snow and crusts, vary from 2 to 5 feet depending on aspect and elevation. After the past month of snowfall, a slab has formed in many locations. Recent avalanche activity on this layer is a reminder that it is still reactive to triggers. When dealing with persistent weak layers that are buried several feet deep, warning signs of cracks and collapses will probably NOT be encountered and previous tracks do NOT indicate stability.

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Recent snow and wind have formed wind slabs above 8,500 feet. These avalanches could be 1 to 2 feet in depth and will be more easily triggered on steep avalanche prone terrain, especially as slopes warm from direct sunlight.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A weather system will exit to the east as a ridge of high pressure builds from the west. Cloud cover will continue to decrease overnight and then, skies are expected to be mostly sunny tomorrow. Temperatures will be cold starting in the single digits and then warming into the teens in the mountains and twenties in the valleys. Ridgetop winds will be westerly at 10 to 20 miles per hour. Dangerous avalanche conditions continue to exist above 8,000 feet, where the avalanche hazard will remain Considerable. The weight of a single person could trigger a large to very large avalanche that would result in severe to deadly consequences. When dealing with persistent weak layers that are buried several feet deep, warning signs of cracks and collapses will probably NOT be encountered and previous tracks do NOT indicate stability. As winds abate, wind slabs will become less likely to trigger. Although, the release of a small slide could initiate failure on deeper layers and result in a much larger avalanche. Careful travel through avalanche terrain and snowpack evaluation will be important to safely move through the mountains.

Regions covered