Avalanche forecast

Gunnison

Crested Butte Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Highlights

There are very few places to trigger an avalanche today, and conditions are safe on most slopes.  Lingering old, hard slabs present a slight hazard on leeward terrain features.  You can reduce the probability of this unlikely issue by identifying hard slabs in wind-drifted areas and steering around them.  Increasingly cloudy skies and gusty winds keep wet avalanche problems at bay. However, a poor refreeze at the lowest elevations, near valley bottoms, could present a minor loose avalanche hazard where you encounter a wet, unsupportive snowpack.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Slabs up to several feet thick have become isolated and difficult to trigger, but remain a concern on a few previously wind-drifted slopes.  You are unlikely to see signs of instability before triggering an avalanche that breaks on old weak layers.  The most concerning terrain features are where old, drifted slabs are thin near their margins, convexities, or rocky areas. You can reliably avoid the problem on slope angles less than 30 degrees without steeper slopes above you, and wind-protected terrain generally lacks the problem.  

    This hard slab was triggered near Pearl Pass on Monday.  It is just beyond the CBAC's Southeast Mountain forecast zone boundary.  It is evidence of a lingering yet unlikely slab avalanche problem.

    Photo: CAIC

Avalanche Discussion

The downward trend in wet avalanche problems continues around the forecast area as cloud cover increases and gusty winds cool snow surfaces.  Today, many slopes will maintain surface crusts, inhibiting loose avalanche release and making for poor riding conditions.  One caveat to this general rule could be found on slopes at the lowest elevations where low temperatures only reached the mid-30s overnight.  A few isolated slopes at low elevations could soften enough to break down surface crusts and present a minor loose avalanche hazard.  If you find a wet, unsupportive snowpack, head for lower-angled terrain or a more supportive snowpack on a cooler aspect.

The Persistent Slab problem is unlikely due to an isolated nature across the landscape and a difficult-to-trigger sensitivity.  You can find old, hard slabs of snow below ridge tops, cross-loaded in gullies, and pressed into concave features.  They often appear smoother and feel harder than the surrounding snow.  Even though this problem is unlikely, it's not impossible.  Recent evidence suggests this problem is not completely put to bed, as a skier triggered a hard slab just outside the CBAC forecast boundary near Pearl Pass on Monday.  You can reduce the chance of this unlikely problem by avoiding terrain features where you find old wind drifts. 

An incoming storm may bring 2 to 8 inches of snow and strong westerly winds on Friday night and Saturday morning.  If storm totals near or exceed forecasts, expect an increase in the avalanche danger rating.  Slab formation may occur on leeward terrain features as winds drift the new snow.  Be sure to check the forecast tomorrow morning before you chase down fresh tracks.

Regions covered