Avalanche forecast

Bridgeport Avalanche Center

Bridgeport Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired last year. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

A cold and light refresh of snow has made it possible to trigger an avalanche.  Be cautious where wind swept snow has consolidated, along leeward sides of ridges and above terrain roll overs.  Stay aware of surface instabilities like shooting cracks, density changes and even large uncontrollable sloughs, especially traveling in near and above tree line, on steeper leeward terrain and zones with higher consequence, as avalanches are possible to trigger.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Yesterdays light to moderate ridge top winds from the south shifted overnight to a north wind.  Specific pockets on leeward wind protected ridge lines, convex roll overs, and steep gullys are all zones to watch out for, as deeper consolidated-wind transported snow has created soft slabs.  It is possible to find these slabs on all aspects due to shifting wind directions the past 24 hours. 

    Surface signs like changing snow textures, blowing snow, wind lips/drifts,  and newly formed cornices are suspect spots to avoid.  Snow surface cracks and visceral density changes felt while moving over terrain are clues that wind slabs may be underfoot.  Be cautious when traveling in steeper start zones, above terrain traps such as rocky outcroppings and funneling gullys.

Avalanche Discussion

  • Signs of Dry Loose surface sloughs are indicators of steeper slopes with unconsolidated snow.  These zones and conditions have potential of pushing you into terrain you weren't planning on entering. Use caution in consequential terrain. 
  • Newly formed cornices on leeward ridgelines could also prove problematic, as they are easier to trigger and collapse on slope.  These heavy overhangs of snow can be easily triggered from further away and also make entering terrain difficult.

Regions covered