Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
No rating
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Highlights

The avalanche danger will rise throughout the day as snowfall develops. It is likely that the weight of a rider will trigger a slide on wind drifted slopes. Any avalanche on slopes with weak snow buried around Thanksgiving may break deeper and wider than expected.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Riders can trigger wind slabs 1 to 3 feet deep on wind-loaded slopes. Over the last 24 hours, winds at upper elevations have remained elevated and are forecast to stay that way throughout the day. This wind, combined with precipitation, will lead to sensitive wind slab formation. Look for fresh, pillowy-looking drifts. If a slope is stripped bare, the opposite side will usually have a wind drift. You can avoid these by finding sheltered terrain out of the wind zone.

    Sensitive fresh wind drift around 9,500'

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    By the end of the day, a rider’s weight could trigger a slide 2 to 3 feet deep, failing on a buried weak layer. Any slope that had weak snow on it before Thanksgiving is suspect, with northwest to north to east-facing slopes being of particular concern. While we have seen these weak layers temporarily adjust to the load, additional snow and wind could overload them again, creating elevated avalanche danger.

    An avalanche near the top of Togwotee pass failing on a buried persistent weak layey.

Avalanche Discussion

The main uncertainty today is when the storm arrives. If it arrives after sunset, avalanche danger will mostly focus on wind slab avalanches that could break into older snow. If the storm pushes in early, dangerous conditions could develop on more slopes, including those out of the wind affected terrain, with avalanches breaking 2 to 3 feet deep into persistent weak layers. For today, pay attention to the weather. As the storm builds intensity, avalanche danger will be on the rise.

Regions covered