Avalanche forecast

Bridgeport Avalanche Center

Bridgeport Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

High winds and heavy snow overnight and this morning has increased the avalanche danger.  Wind deposited snow on leeward, North facing slopes is the area of greatest concern.  Choose low angle terrain and increase margins as avalanche danger is currently on the rise.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Temperature increase over the past 24 hours has created heavier wet wind slab snow on top of lighter, less dense snow.  

    Strong SW winds over the past 40+ hours has deposited new denser snow on top of a weak faceted base. And the past 24 hours of this storm has been a few degrees warmer than the beginning,  creating a heavier slabbed layer over colder snow.  Leeward North facing slopes that held a thicker-colder faceted layer will also be blanketed with a deeper-heavier wind layer.  Avoid traveling on leeward slopes below ridge lines, while snow deposit amounts can be up to 3-5x the snow total amounts in these areas.  These slopes will be avalanche prone and need time to bond. 

     

Avalanche Discussion

BWRA remains closed to OHV use until more snow has accumulated.

High winds overnight and this morning, combined with increased moisture and higher freezing temps will produce wind slabs on leeward slopes.  This more dense snow on top of light, sugary faceted snow will make a prime recipe for avalanches where the snow is deep enough, most likely on Northern-shaded (N, NE, NW) slopes.

Early season snow coverage variability is a determining factor on where we will be recreating and also the where avalanches will be found.  South facing slopes at all elevations in our area are still very shallow, if any snow persists at all.  On the other hand, North facing slopes has pockets of cold-deep faceted snow, mainly Near and Above Tree Line.  The new wind effected snow will certainly cause natural avalanches in the steeper terrain while less steep will be waiting for the right trigger.  

As you can see by the photos below. Wind protected south facing will have drifted snow, and unprotected are stripped to the vegetation and ground, even at 9000' 

Regions covered