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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Highlights

Strong winds at all elevations, and increasing diurnal temperatures has increased the chances of avalanches.  If traveling in terrain near and/or above tree line be cautious in your route finding in steep wind loaded terrain.  To mitigate today's combination of avalanche exposures avoid steep rocky terrain in start zones and on solar aspects as temperatures and solar exposure increases. Careful timing and route finding in these steep leeward slopes, convexities and solar aspects with heavy dense snow is a must.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Warm spring sun has arrived and will only increase this week as temperatures increase. Poor night time refreeze recoveries at lower elevations especially will increase and make warming during the day more effective in saturating the snow pack. Steep rocky east faces earlier in the day and south and west faces in the afternoon at mid and lower elevations are our suspect slopes for loose instabilities. Look for roller balls and wet-heavy saturated snow. Avoid these areas as the sun intensity increases and seek shaded slopes for safer alternatives. 

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Sustained and intense ridge top winds 2 nights ago created wind slabs in leeward start and catchment zones.  These formed slabs are in isolated terrain above and near tree line.  Look for pillow like features that may or may not have a textured surface.  These slabs may have formed below cornices or in zones without cornice.  As time passes and temperatures increase, these slabs will gain strength and become obsolete on solar exposures but will take longer to bond and dissipate on the shaded polar aspects especially at higher elevations.  Continue to be aware of these slab potentials in isolated steep protected chutes and shoulders of ridges at the top of exposure above steep entries.

Avalanche Discussion

  • Alternating wind directions this past week have stripped or loaded much of the terrain in the alpine.  The tree line and above tree line interfaces seem to be the areas with the most wind loaded slopes.  As diurnal temps increase this weekend pay attention to possible weakening cornices above these slopes. A collapsing cornice has the weight to trigger deeper wind slabs that haven't completely healed.
  • Longer days and warm temps = exploring bigger and further lines in the Range a possibility.  Keep your plans tight and bring the essential tools and partners required. Don't fall into nice weather complacency traps.
  • Varied spring like conditions exist. New snow is quickly transistioning to crust and breakable crust and hasn't fully transistioned into melt/freeze corn cycle yet. Ski with caution.

Regions covered