Avalanche forecast

Gunnison

Crested Butte Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Strong winds continued to transport snow last night, keeping the greatest avalanche danger on wind-loaded terrain today. The most dangerous slopes are at higher elevations, where loading has persisted for several days and large natural avalanches have recently occurred. More stable conditions exist in wind-sheltered terrain, where normal caution is appropriate. In these areas, watch for loose snow avalanches on steep slopes and isolated soft slabs in more extreme terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Last night, 12,000ft weather stations recorded average wind speeds in the 30-40mph range with a peak wind gust of 80mph. Those strong winds occurred from the southwest, before speeds decreased and began backing to the northwest during the early AM hours. Numerous small to large natural avalanches have been observed in the last couple of days, primarily occurring on wind-loaded terrain at upper elevations. This avalanche problem will most commonly be found below leeward ridgelines or cross-loaded terrain features.  Blowing snow, thicker-feeling drifts, or shooting cracks are all red flags warning of this avalanche problem. However, this avalanche problem will become more stubborn to trigger now that we are out of the most active loading period, so direct feedback may become unreliable.  

    If you are riding in wind-sheltered areas, keep an eye out for loose snow avalanches on steep slopes, or isolated soft slabs in extreme terrain. 

    A recent wind slab below Scarps Ridge

Avalanche Discussion

The wet avalanche problem was dropped from the problem list today, following last night's cold temperatures and today's cooler trend. If the sun comes out later today, keep an eye out for warming snow surfaces and an isolated wet loose avalanche threat. Wet loose avalanches will begin to work back into the problem list over the weekend as high temperatures climb and the recent new snow works its way through the spring transition.

Today, the avalanche forecast remains focused on wind slabs. The strongest winds since the April Fools storm occurred last night. Over the last couple of days, all the natural slab avalanche activity has been observed at or above 11,900ft. The thicker snow at near treeline elevations hasn't blown around as well as the colder snow in the alpine. The stronger winds last night may have started to move more snow at near treeline elevations, and evaluation of this avalanche problem will be required on specific terrain features at those elevations. You can see what has been documented so far via this link.

The April Fools storm transported us back into winter. That storm produced ~22-27” of new snow in the Northwest Mountains and ~17-22” in the Southeast Mountains. Snow water equivalents for the storm were ~2.6” SWE at Schofield Pass, and 1.4” SWE at Butte. (The SWE sensors were fluctuating prior to the storm, so the starting points were estimated.) The accumulated snow was very dense. That dense snow will now be setting up with the colder temperatures, combined with a couple of inches of low-density snow from last night, should make for some nice skiing and riding conditions. 

Events: Join us Friday, April 3, at the Talk of the Town from 5-8 p.m. for our Party for the People. We will have live music from CBAC house band Deep Slab Instability and beers are on us. It’s our way of saying thanks for all of the support again this year!

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