Avalanche forecast

Bridgeport Avalanche Center

Bridgeport Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Instability deep within the snowpack has created dangerous avalanche conditions at all elevations. Remove yourself from a scenario that could result a in very large avalanche with vigilant route finding. Avoid any terrain that matches where the persistent slab is located. Don't let powder fever take hold, human triggered avalanches are likely.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    New snow and strong SW winds have combined to create wind slabs in terrain near and above treeline on NW-N-NE -E aspects. Wind has transported and redistributed snow across the landscape creating wind slabs in specific locations such as ridgetops, rock outcrops, gullies and convex or concave slope features. Watch for smooth wind textured snow on the surface and avoid any terrain traps. A small wind slab could have major consequences due to what is below a slide path. 

    Paired with a persistent weak layer, a small wind slab could trigger and step down into the weak layer creating a very large avalanche.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2–3.5

    The Dec 1st weak layer is a Faceted, unconsolidated, surgery layer that is at the base of the snowpack. Over 3 feet of snow currently sits on top of that layer. Test results and ski cuts have shown that this layer has the potential to propagate and create a very large avalanche.  A persistent slab may not show signs of triggering an avalanche until a rider or skier is right on top of it.  Forecasters experienced cracking, whumpfing and collapsing during field days last week. This may not be the case anymore, areas where the PWL is buried deeper may give no clues that the snowpack is unstable.

    Avoidance is the key to managing this avalanche problem. 

Avalanche Discussion

December snow totals are piling up and the red flags that go along with it are highly visible. The most recent storm delivered over 55 inches to our Leavitt Lake station and was consistently battered by Extreme winds from the SW. Gusts were recorded up to 65 MPH. Recent avalanches, New snow, blowing snow, signs of instability and a persistent weak layer are 4 of the 5 Red Flags  to watch out for ( the fifth is rapid melting FYI).  The signs are everywhere, and they are flashing.  Choosing terrain, the appropriate terrain to recreate in is key to having a safe day in the back country.  Meadow skipping and low angle terrain are excellent ways to enjoy the new snow and stay safe.

Regions covered