Avalanche forecast

Bridgeport Avalanche Center

Bridgeport Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Human triggered avalanches remain possible, naturally triggered avalanches are unlikely. Wind driven snow near the top of the pack and faceted snow at the bottom of the snowpack remain a concern. Temperatures have warmed up the past few days and warm temperatures continue into the weekend. Choose appropriate terrain for you and your group by minimizing overhead hazard while ascending and descending slopes. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    A stiff and consolidated wind slab remains on the surface or is buried within the top part of our snowpack.  Fracture character have shown non planer breaks in this layer. This layer is highly variable across the forecast zone. North facing complex terrain brings the greatest concern. While traveling around Kavanaugh Ridge on Friday we noticed signs of strong wind with Sastrugi ribbons and reverse ski tracks on East facing slopes. Machine tracks hardly made an imprint in these areas. As soon as we moved into the sheltered trees the Sastrugi became less mature but the pencil to knife hardness was present. As we transitioned from above treeline to treeline terrain and wrapped into a more Northerly aspect, the stiffness dropped to 4 finger and fist. 

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    The December 1st PWL remains present in our snowpack. Faceted grains have been gaining strength however we cannot yet rule out the possibility that this is not a sliding layer. Our snowpack depth in the BWRA places this layer deep in the snowpack in most spots. Leavitt Lake and Sonora Pass have been on average in the 150 cm + range. Where the snowpack is thin is of greater concern. Some of the motorized uptracks in the BWRA go under or near North facing consequential terrain. Ride with caution in these areas.  

Avalanche Discussion

Rapidly warming temeratures enter the forecast area this weekend ahead of the warm storm front. The winds are relatively light with some moderate gusts over the weekend. When our snowpack warms too rapidly it can cause instability in the pack. It is possible that slabs will become more reactive, with the buried 12/1 PWL being of the most unlikey but highest consequence event. 

Regions covered