Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago.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

Highlights

Human triggered avalanches will be possible today, especially in the alpine where new snow and wind have conspired to create fresh wind slabs. Temperatures should remain cool today, but if the sun pokes through at any point the snow surface will begin to heat up quickly. Fresh wind slabs should mostly be confined to start zones and exposed ridgelines in the lee of southwest winds. Pay attention to signs of instability such as cracking within wind drifted snow, and minimize exposure time on steep sunlit slopes if the skies decide to part. 

A grizzly bear and her cubs were seen two days ago along Togwotee Pass. See below photo. Exercise extreme caution if traveling near there.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind Slabs: Fresh wind slabs that are around a foot thick will be located near treeline and in alpine terrain. These slabs will mostly be soft and sensitive to human triggering, but in most instances they shouldn't propagate too far. Slabs will mostly be confined to avalanche start zones and ridgelines. Pay attention to signs of instability such as cracking within wind drifted snow. 

    Storm Slabs: Very shallow storm slabs could overlie a variety of crusted surfaces on southerly aspects, mainly near treeline and below. 

    Dry Loose: Dry loose avalanches could pose a threat in steep terrain. 

    A photo from earlier this season highlighting possible wind slabs and poor bonding on the interface.

Avalanche Discussion

Togwotee picked up 1-3 inches of snow in the last 24 hours, and Lava received a total of 341 miles of wind out of the southwest. For the most part it seems like the snowfall was mostly rightside up, starting off warm and ending cold. Winds were more consistent from the WSW at the beginnning of the storm (2 days ago), but yesterday winds seemed blustery and inconsistent. Currently temperatures are in the single digits on the peaks and upper teens in the valleys. The forecast for today is for broken skies and intermittent snow showers in a NW flow. The mountains could pick up another inch or so on average. The sun should make an appearance today on many slopes and its influence will change the properties of the snow quickly. 

Regions covered