Avalanche forecast

Bridgeport Avalanche Center

Bridgeport Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

New wind blown snow, atop old wind blown snow with a weak base is our current recipe.  Avalanche danger has increased due to new snow and wind loading. Continue safe terrain practices and travel techniques, avoiding steeper avalanche paths and their runout zones. Keep safety margins as your priority as your level of uncertainty increases.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    Multiple persistent weak layers still exist in the bottom and mid snowpack with varying reactivity, depth and spatial variability dependent.  With more new snow expected over the next couple days, these weak layers could get the load they need to become reactive.    These layers may not give any signs of weakness, like whumping or shooting cracks at this point, as most of the snowpack has a variable depth wind layer protecting it.  Best way to avoid it is terrain managment and avoiding steep exposed slopes atop convexities and other exposed trigger zones.

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Blowing snow and wind transport was experienced at all elevations and varied in severity and direction.  Wind loaded pockets and leeward catchments may be hard to decipher in aspect and elevations that have a deep enough snow pack to be dangerous.  Exposed wind swept slopes will have varying snow depths and isolated pockets of hazard.   Travel cautiously, widen your safety margins and avoid steeper terrain.

Avalanche Discussion

  • Over the past week we've seen a broad range in weather and temperatures in our area, making for varying results in snowpack tests and data.  In turn making forecasting tricky and the need to 'wide brush stroke' our travel advice and danger ratings.
  • Yesterday we experienced various weak layers below semi supportable wind board.  Walking on snow pack was a postholing experience to upper thigh as the wind board did not support it but while riding a snowmachine there was only about 3-4 inches of penetration. (see photos below for examples).   This is a reminder that we are dealing with a denser heavier layer on top of weaker sugary faceted snow, widespread throughout all aspects and elevations in varying depths.
  • Lower elevation slopes danger levels, will be dependent on aspect and how much wind loading has occured. Slopes with vegetation (brush) poking through can still be avalanche prone given the slope angle. These slopes should also be avoided and terrain margins factored in.
  • Larger and deeper avalanches are still possible though becoming harder to trigger as snow depth rises.  Give larger higher consequence, complex terrain the space, margin and respect it deserves.
  • Remember a good plan, the right equipment and a solid team are key ingredients to traveling safely in the backcountry.  And when in doubt, always play it safe, stick to terrain under 30 degrees and increase your hazard margins.

Regions covered