Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago.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

The snowpack on Togwotee Pass has poor structure. New, light snow has fallen on weak snow surfaces and hard crusts. Humans venturing into steep upper elevation terrain could trigger loose snow sloughs or small slabs.  Watch for areas of drifted snow and avoid terrain traps where even small slides could have harsh consequences.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Winds that varied from the west to northwest and had gusts to 35 mph have formed very soft slabs with depths of 4 to 18 inches at the upper elevations. These slabs lie upon poor interfaces such as melt-freeze crusts and faceted snow, including surface hoar. This new snow hazard is more likely to be found above 9000 feet although the sloughing and small soft slab hazard may extend into the mid elevations in very steep terrain that was favored by the snow showers. 

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak snow persists one to two feet below the surface. Although unlikely, slabs involving this snow could be initiated in extreme terrain.  

Avalanche Discussion

The first of a series of systems brought snow showers to the region yesterday.  Snowfall amounts varied greatly within each of the forecast areas. In the Togwotee Pass area, the Angle Mountain recieved 5" while the Snotel site received 8" and the plot near Brooks Lake received 5".   Densities were light, in the 5-8% range.  This variability in accumulation  is not uncommon on a showery type system and means that there are some areas that received more snow than the study plots did. Throughout yesterday, slab properties where minimal and loose snow sloughing in very steep terrain carried little volume. Winds that increased during the evening hours with gusts into the forties will have transported some of this light snow and formed soft slabs. Remember that although accumulations are on the light side and winds were not excessive, the new snow is falling on snow surfaces that are either slick crusts or, in most terrain, weak faceted snow.  

Like many of the storms this season, accumulations at the low elevations were minimal and the shallow snowpack is not deserving of a rating.   That will change with incoming storms as the snow that does exist below 7500 is rotten. 

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