Bridgeport Avalanche Center

Triggering a wind slab avalanche is getting less likely but not impossible today. Isolated pockets of stiff wind slab snow may exist in complex terrain such as cliff bands, unsupported slopes, couloirs, or steep chutes. Consider bringing your sharps kit (such as crampons, ice axes, or a whippet) to navigate the firm and variable conditions today. 

The prolonged dry period continues as we work our way to the middle of January. Temperatures at Leavitt Lake rose to the mid-40s yesterday at 9600ft. Winds shifted to the SSW yesterday, signaling an break in the Northeast wind that was present most of the week. The North wind is back this morning, and temperatures are expected to be much cooler today. 

Any remnants of the snow that fell on 1/3 has been stripped away or redeposited in isolated and sheltered terrain. What has been left behind is a wind-sculpted landscape with firm conditions on all aspects and elevations. If you are traveling into above-treeline terrain, consider your sharps kit. Boot crampons, ski crampons, an ice axe, and or a whippet are all useful tools when encountering mountainous terrain in its current shape. Wind-protected areas in and below the treeline may harbor softer snow and reduce the chance of finding an isolated pocket of wind slab in complex terrain. Even a small avalanche in steep, firm terrain could have big consequences. Overall, the likelihood of triggering an avalanche is low on a regional scale today.