Avalanche forecast

Northwest Mountains

Crested Butte Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Accumulating snow earlier this week combined with a strong northerly wind event on Wednesday and into Thursday. Lingering wind slabs from this event are the primary avalanche problem to manage today. This avalanche problem will be the most widespread at above-treeline elevations and become more isolated at lower elevations. As temperatures climb this afternoon, keep an eye out on steep sunny slopes for small loose wet avalanches. Otherwise, there is a lot of great riding to be had in wind-sheltered terrain and this is a great time to be getting out in the mountains. 

 

 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    On Wednesday and into Thursday, strong west-to-north winds formed a fresh round of wind slabs. These slabs will likely have become hard and stubborn to trigger. As those slabs soften this afternoon in the sun and warm temperatures, they may become slightly more reactive. This avalanche problem is the most widespread at above-treeline elevations, and more isolated in distribution at lower elevations. Stay alert for this relatively small avalanche problem, especially if you are riding in consequential terrain above cliffs, gullies, or trees.

    2/6:  A skier triggered wind slab on a leeward slope on Mt. Emmons. 

Avalanche Discussion

The recent wind events during the last week are creating some very different avalanche conditions in the NW Mountain forecast compared to the SE Mountain forecast area. The wind slab problem between the two forecast areas isn't that notable. What's notable is how the buried persistent weak layers are holding up to this additional loading. The persistent slab avalanche problem has been the most problematic in the southeast mountains for some time now, and we are seeing it become more reactive with this recent round of loading. On Wednesday, CBAC forecasters observed a large natural avalanche that had released in the previous 24 hours on a heavily wind-loaded slope. Yesterday CBAC forecasters headed out to have a look at that avalanche, and human triggered another large avalanche on a similar wind-loaded slope. Both of these avalanches stepped down into deeply buried weak layers. So in the SE Mountains the primary avalanche problem is this persistent slab avalanche problem. While in the NW Mountains the persistent weak layers have remained quiet and the primary avalanche problem there is the smaller wind slab avalanche problem. As we head into the weekend. The NW Mountains will be making their way towards normal caution and a low avalanche danger rating. Loose wet avalanche activity over the weekend should remain small in size and the wind slab avalanche problem will continue to become less reactive with each passing day. The SE Mountains will see less change, with the persistent slab avalanche problem continuing to dictate travel advice.  

 

 

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