Avalanche forecast

Bridgeport Avalanche Center

Bridgeport Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
No rating
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

A winter storm is impacting the region, with enough new snow and wind for a return to winter avalanche conditions. Expect unstable slabs of new, wind drifted snow on the same slopes that held a usable snowpack before this storm. Because there’s not enough new snow for safe travel elsewhere, avoiding avalanches today will be challenging. Look for low angle terrain without overhead hazard, that also has a base of old snow.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    More new snow has already fallen than originally expected, especially in the northern half of our forecast region. With additional snowfall today, and strong ridgetop winds from the south/southwest, slabs of unstable snow will exist on leeward slopes near and above treeline. These are the same slopes that held snow prior to this storm, because they had deeper snow from wind deposits throughout the winter. This will make it difficult to find slopes that have a usable base but also don't have wind slabs today.

  • Loose Wet

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

    Fluctuating snow/rain elevations today will result in wet snow near treeline.  As temperatures cool this afternoon and tonight, the snow/rain line will drop to lower elevations where there's not currently a usable snowpack. Although in general there's not much old snow on sunny slopes near treeline, there are some gully features to use caution around today, so I've circled the whole compass rose near treeline.

Avalanche Discussion

After a very long period of spring diurnal conditions, it’s time to wake up and use our winter brains again. Because of the overlap in the terrain between avalanche problems and slopes with a usable base, making plans today is going to be tricky. With more snow in the forecast, tomorrow isn’t going to get any easier. Tomorrow will also be our last avalanche forecast for the season.

Regions covered