Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Highlights

Avalanche danger will rise throughout the day as snow continues to fall. Avalanche conditions are dangerous at all elevations. New snow and wind will make human-triggered avalanches likely. Avalanches could involve deeper buried weak layers. Reduce your risk by sticking to low-angle, sheltered terrain. 

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect from now until 11:00pm Saturday.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    New snow loading and wind are adding strain to weak snow near the base of the snowpack. As new snow continues to fall, persistent slabs will become easier to trigger - especially where the snowpack is thinner. Use caution around steep, rocky, and wind-affected terrain. If triggered, slabs could be up to 4 feet thick and may break in unexpected ways. It is challenging to predict how persistent slabs will behave during storm cycles. The load of new snow today will make these avalanches more sensitive and the weight of a skier or rider can tip the scales.

    Assume this problem exists on all aspects at upper elevations and west through north through east aspects at middle elevations. As the storm continues today, carefully evaluate the terrain you are riding. You can find safer travel options by sticking to slopes less than 30 degrees.

    (2/22/2024)

    A persistent slab avalanche that failed on a buried weak layer. 

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Recent snow combined with wind will form soft slabs 1-3 feet thick in upper-elevation terrain. Southwest winds are expected to increase to 20 mph this morning with gusts to 40mph. As snow continues to fall, slopes will actively load throughout the day. Watch out for exposed ridgelines, rocky areas, cross-loaded terrain, and gullies. Look for obvious signs of wind-loading snow such as cracking, stiffened surfaces, pillows/drifts, and actively blowing snow. Travel in lower elevation or sheltered terrain to avoid wind-affected snow. 

    Storm slabs ~ 1 foot thick could develop across all elevations as heavy snow continues to fall today. Watch for steep terrain that is not obviously wind-affected, especially near gullies and large exposed slopes. 

    A very small wind slab that was easily triggered with a ski cut on an exposed test slope. The crown was about 12" thick at its deepest. Expect these to grow in size and distribution by tomorrow.

    Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

With Februrary having come to a close, March has arrived and it’s starting with a bang. Togwotee may see two feet of snow by the end of the day on Sunday. Periods of intense snowfall are expected today and with it, increased avalanche danger. Pay attention to new snowfall and how it’s behaving. As snow totals increase you may see signs of instability (cracking, sluffing, collapsing) in the afternoon that were not present in the morning. Don’t let this rapid change in conditions catch you off guard.

In addition to persistent slabs,  rapid loading is one of the red flags for avalanches. Take the time to familiarize yourself with these signs. They are 'rule of thumb' indicators for avalanches.  As this storm impacts the forecast zone, I plan on stepping back and giving the snowpack time to adjust. Excellent riding can be found on low-angle and sheltered terrain. 

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