Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
No rating
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Highlights

In the upper elevations it will be possible to trigger small avalanches in steep terrain today. Avalanches involving new snow will be mostly loose and big enough to knock you off of your feet. In isolated areas expect pockets of newly formed slabs to be up to a foot in depth and sensitive to human triggers.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Dry

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

    New snow that has accumulated over the last three days varies in depth from a trace to 10”. This problem is limited to the upper elevations and in areas that received the high end of this recent snowfall.  In the majority of terrain expect the new snow to be unconsolidated and present as dry loose avalanches. These avalanches can move fast and entrain significant amounts of snow.  In isolated areas expect to encounter more consolidated snow in the form of slabs that will be sensitive to the weight of a single person. Pay attention to snow surfaces and be on the lookout for cracking and collapsing.  These are signs that a slab is present and is unstable. Maintain safe travel practices by only exposing one person at a time, use islands of safety and communicate your plans within your group.

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak snow that formed in November sits 1-3 feet below the surface and has proven to be dormant for the time being. This layer will remain on the radar as new snow continues to accumulate on the surface.

Avalanche Discussion

Dry conditions over the last month have created a mix of snow surfaces that are now getting slowly buried. On south aspects crusts can be found. On most other aspects weak snow in the form of facets and surface hoar is widespread and up to 6” thick. Over the last 3 days new snow has fallen on these weak surfaces. The Togwotee Pass SNOTEL has received 7” of new snow, with 6” at Brooks Lake and 5” on Angle Mountain. The density of this new snow is low, and has averaged in the 6-7% range. The rate of loading has been relatively slow.  Winds have been minimal with the expectation of a short period of higher winds 2 nights ago. In many locations there is loose new snow that has not formed into a slab. In these locations expect dry loose avalanches to be large enough to knock you off of your feet. This becomes a greater problem in steep terrain or above terrain traps, where losing control can lead to injury. In isolated areas, slabs have likely formed and could be sensitive to human triggers today.

Deeper in the snowpack is another widespread weak layer that formed in November.  This layer is dormant, with the last reported avalanche on this layer occurring on December 10th. Tests in pits over this last month have shown this layer to have potential to become a problem again when it receives sufficient loading. The actual amount and rate of loading it will take to re activate this layer is not clear. For this reason it will remain on the radar despite the lack of recent activity.

Regions covered