Avalanche forecast

Bridgeport Avalanche Center

Bridgeport Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

A foot or more of new snow and moderate to strong winds from the southwest have created a windslab problem in and above the treeline, human-triggered avalanches are likely today. This new snow and wind will add a load to the snowpack challenging the strength of the entire pack. A greater degree of uncertainty exists as the snowpack loads up, consider your terrain choices carefully as the probability and likelihood for large destructive avalanches is possible.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Strong winds from the southwest have created fresh wind slabs in and above the treeline today. These slabs are the most sensitive in localized terrain features such as convexities and start zones. Under the fresh slab snow exists a stout melt freeze crust 12" or more below the surface. This crust is a likely sliding layer for the slab. Wind-driven snow shows its clues on the surface and it can also be felt under the ski or foot. 

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    A larger degree of uncertainty exists regarding how the persistent slab will react to the new snow that has fallen in the past 48 hours. We know that the snow grains at the bottom of the pack have been rounding and gaining strength, however, the poor structure still exists in many places. Unsupported slopes and complex terrain could hold the most sensitive snow. As we pull into this multi day storm consider your terrain choices carefully, the likelihood of triggering a slab was getting lower yet the consequence remains high. 

    (1/31/2024)

    Hand hardness of 1 finger with the weak snow at the base, 4 finger

    Photo: julian hanna

Avalanche Discussion

The night of January 31st brought with it 12" or more of new snow in and above the treeline. On the 1st, we toured the sleds into the Leavitt Lake area as well as Sonora Pass and found light, cold, unconsolidated snow in and above the treeline. We also saw evidence of slab snow forming in exposed locations. The wind will continue to transport fresh snow in and above the treeline today. Be on the lookout for these fresh drifts as they will be sensitive to triggering. What will be harder to predict will be the reaction of the new snow with the persistent slab that has been in our forecast for over a month. With several rounds of precipitation forecasted into early next week, continue to evaluate your terrain choices carefully. There are no surface clues that can tell us about the problem snow at the bottom of the pack and a major loading event could be the recipe for large slabs of snow to release. 

Regions covered