Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago.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

Highlights

New snow with increasing westerly winds this afternoon sustaining 20 mph will form fresh slabs and stress weak layers buried 2-3 feet deep. Continued wind loading above the poor overall snowpack structure will create heightened avalanche concerns, especially in the upper elevations. Avoid steep, wind loaded slopes where triggering an avalanche is most likely while carefully evaluating the snowpack and your terrain choice.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    New snow will continually form fresh wind slabs as forecasted wind speed increases to a sustained 20 mph with gusts above 30 mph by this afternoon. These slabs will be 1-2 feet deep. Terrain where you will most likely encounter wind slabs will be on leeward and cross loaded slopes on the north and east aspects in the middle and upper elevations. Avoid commonly wind loaded areas such as along ridgelines and near cliff features. Wind slabs in the upper elevations can be tricky to identify as terrain driven wind can load a variety of aspects. Look for signs of wind loading such as rippled textures, drifts and cracking.

     

    (3/27/2023)

    Avalanche triggered from a low-angle ridgeline in adjoining steep terrain on a NE aspect around 10,000'.

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    The March 20th interface is now buried 2-3 feet deep above a soft slab that has experienced significant temperature fluctuations during the last few days. This layer is composed of facets/crusts on solar aspects and small preserved facets on northerly aspects protected by the sun. The sensitivity of this layer is hard to gauge due to the varying slab depths and characteristics of the layer across different aspects. Loading of 24 hour new snow and wind transport will stress this layer increasing reactivity, particularly in wind loaded terrain. Remotely triggering will be possible from gentler slopes above, below, or adjacent to steep slopes. Long story short: persistent slab avalanches are difficult to predict and manage, so think about the consequences of triggering a large avalanche while traveling in avalanche terrain. 

    Deeper weak layers formed earlier in the season composed of crusts, facets, and depth hoar remain a concern. Triggering a wind slab or persistent slab on the March 20th interface could step down to these layers resulting in a larger avalanche. 

     

     

    (3/27/2023)

    Avalanche triggered from a low-angle ridgeline in adjoining steep terrain on a NE aspect around 10,000'.

    Photo: Antonioli

Avalanche Discussion

Winter Continues...

Another week, and another discussion on how this winter just keeps on rolling. Good thing we love powder around these parts. There’s a mixed bag of conditions out there today, as snowfall varied drastically across the forecast zones. The big takeaway is that regardless of where you’re recreating, areas with higher amounts of new snow will see higher avalanche danger. This trend will continue into next week. New snow instability and stress added to the persistent slab will require careful terrain management and restraint to push into consequential terrain. These persistent slab avalanches are difficult to predict, especially with the spatial variability altering the likelihood and distribution across aspects and elevations. THIS IS NOT YOUR TYPICAL SPRING. I’ve said it over and over, but don’t let complacency cloud our judgment.

Regions covered