Avalanche forecast

Bridgeport Avalanche Center

Bridgeport Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Triggering an avalanche is likely today as wind-driven snow created sensitive slabs overnight. Be on the lookout for signs of unstable and recently distributed snow such as active wind loading and new cornice formations. Terrain features like start zones, convexities, and gullies could amplify the consequence of an avalanche. Consider traveling conservatively to reduce your exposure while in or near avalanche terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Strong wind from the Southwest created fresh wind slabs in and above the treeline yesterday and last night. Leeward start zones, cross-loaded gullies, convexities, and accumulation zones will all be sensitive to human triggers today.  The size and distribution of the slabs could be variable due to the short duration of the storm.  Yesterday in the Virginia Lakes basin we watched blowing snow accumulate around localized terrain features. The snow and wind had just begun to develop drifts while on our tour, we expect more slabs to have formed overnight. 

    Monitor changing conditions today and be on the lookout for signs of wind-transported snow. Surface clues such as wind ribbons, pillows, and density changes underfoot are potential signs of wind slabs. Be on the lookout for wind-blown snow in terrain such as gullies, cross-loaded slopes, ridges with cornices, start zones, and steep exposed slopes. 

    (4/4/2024)

    fresh wind driven snow on top of a breakable crust. East aspect near treeline above Big Valley Lake. 

    Photo: Julian Hanna

Avalanche Discussion

Looking at the SNOTEL sites this morning,  Leavitt Lake picked up 1.5" of SWE in 24 hours. Moderate to Strong wind from the S-SW have been blowing since yesterday. We are expecting fresh drifts of wind-blown snow today in and above treeline terrain. The new snow has fallen on a pencil hard breakable crust which could make an easy sliding layer for the wind slab to slide on. We have transitioned back to a winter-like snowpack today after several sunny and warm days over the week. As the snowpack warmed last week it left a crust on its surface especially in treeline and below terrain on all aspects. This crust is a suspect sliding layer for the freshly developed wind slab snow. 

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