Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
No rating
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Large slab avalanches were unintentionally triggered by skiers in the Greys Rivers and Teton forecast areas yesterday. Being caught in either of these slides could have been fatal. Similar events are possible in the Togwotee Pass area today. At the mid and upper elevations of the Togwotee Pass area large slab avalanches could triggered on steep avalanche prone slopes by the weight of a single person. Smaller slab avalanches could be triggered by humans on very steep terrain features at the lower elevations. Conservative choices are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain. Most recreational avalanche fatalities occur during periods of considerable or moderate avalanche hazard.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2

    Many areas of the Togwotee Pass forecast zone have poor snowpack structure. In many of those areas snow that fell in January and February lies upon a weak base of well-developed faceted snow crystals. Other persistent weak layers include buried layers of surface hoar and near surface faceted snow. Large slab avalanches with depths from 1 to 3 feet could be triggered by the weight of a single person on these weaknesses.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Light snowfall will develop and become steadier by midnight. Accumulations of 2 to 4 inches in the mountains and 1 to 2 inches are possible before daybreak. Periods of light to moderate snowfall could bring another three inches of new snow to the area during the day. Temperatures will be in the single digits and teens. Winds will be from the southwest to south at 15 with gusts to 25 miles per hour.Humans could trigger large slab avalanches in steep avalanche starting zones and on steep slopes with poor snow structure. These slab avalanches could be two to four feet deep and could occur of a variety of aspects at all elevations. Slope specific stability assessment is difficult in these conditions. The consequences of triggering a large slab avalanche are likely to be severe. Conservative terrain choices are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be moderate at all elevations. Most recreational avalanche fatalities occur during periods of considerable or moderate avalanche hazard.

Regions covered