Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Yesterday's storm favored the Togwotee Pass area where significant snowfall occurred. Skiers and riders could trigger slab avalanches and loose snow sloughs involving this new snow and the likelihood of triggering such an event will increase if periods of sunlight rapidly warm slopes this afternoon.  This new snow will also add further stress to older buried weak layers of snow that could release deeper in the snowpack.  Watch for signs of new snow instabilities such as cracking or other avalanches and remember to give the older hard to predict weak layers respect in large avalanche paths. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    10 inches of snow fell on Togwotee Pass over the last 24 hours. Wind directions varied greatly during this period and areas prone to wind loading, especially along ridge crests and summits could have soft slabs with depths to 18 inches in steep terrain.  These slabs could be human triggered today as they lie upon hard crusts on slopes exposed to sunlight and on facets in shaded terrain. This new snow could also release as a slab in areas not as affected by wind loading or as loose snow sloughs in steep terrain.  Watch for slopes that are wind loaded or where localized snowfall was heaviest and beware of the signs of any avalanche activity no matter how small as small slides can have serious consequences in areas with terrain traps. 

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Slabs overlying weak layers buried 2-3 feet deep remain possible to trigger on very steep slopes over 35° in the upper elevations. Signs of instability such as cracking, collapsing, or recent avalanches may not be present before triggering a large, dangerous avalanche. These avalanches are capable of propagating far across or upslope making escape difficult. Multiple tracks on a slope do not indicate stability with this problem type. Large triggers such as cornice falls and groups increase the odds of impacting buried weak layers. Steer clear of very steep, rocky, and wind affected slopes to avoid dealing with this avalanche problem today.

    On Sunday, a large avalanche was triggered by a snowmobiler on Mount Leidy. This avalanche likely involved persistent weak layers and is evidence that riders still have the potential to impact these layers.

    (2/27/2025)

    Steep, rocky, and wind affected terrain above 10,000’ near Togwotee Pass. The boundary between wind scoured and wind loaded features are the most likely places to trigger a persistent slab avalanche.

    Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak snow buried 5 feet deep exists near the ground above 9,000’. Triggering an avalanche at this depth is very unlikely but not impossible. Manage this problem the same way you would manage weak layers in the middle of the snowpack by avoiding very steep, rocky, and wind loaded terrain.

     

    (2/11/2025)

    The crown of the recent unintentionally-triggered avalanche on the E face of Lava ~10,400'.

    Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

This storm favored the Togwotee Pass area which is an uncommon these days. Overall the storm was right side up, meaning it started with warm temperatures and finished with colder temperatures. Wind data is lacking for Togwotee as the Lava station is down but regionally it seems that winds backed from the northeast to the west. Such mid elevatioin cross loading occurs at Togwotee that any aspect is suspect to the new snow hazard. The deeper weak snow layers are well preserved and activity may occur today given the additional load of approximately an inch moisture.  New snowfall amounts may vary greatly from drainage to drainage so stay aware of slight changes in new snow depths and any sign of avalanche activity. 

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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