Avalanche forecast

Bridgeport Avalanche Center

Bridgeport Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
4 · High
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Highlights

A winter storm warning and an avalanche warning are in effect today as a strong atmospheric river weather event impacts our forecast area. Rain on snow, snow, wind exceeding 100 mph on ridges, and heavy bands of precipitation with fluctuating snow levels will create hazardous travel conditions today.  Traveling in, around, and under avalanche terrain is not recommended.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1.5–3

    Strong wind and heavy snowfall amounts today will create Wind Slabs that will be sensitive to triggering. Human-triggered avalanches are very likely, naturally triggered avalanches are likely. Wind from the Southwest will load snow on Northerly and Easterly aspects. Specific terrain features such as gullies, the leeward sides of ridges, and convex terrain features will be the most sensitive. As the rain transitions to snow, these problems will intensify throughout the day.  Mid-slope winds from the Southwest between 8-10K will gust to 85 mph with sustained speeds of 30-45 mph. With significant amounts of snow available for transport, expect wind slab loading from alpine to below treeline elevations. 

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–3

    The dormant Persistent Slab problem that has impacted our range since early December may start to become reactive today. A heavy and supersaturated snowpack could be the trigger to cause large and destructive avalanches in and above the treeline. The load from a wind slab avalanche could step down and trigger a failure on this persistent layer at the bottom of the snowpack. Considering the size of the terrain features in Northerly terrain, these avalanches could be very large and run down into mature timber if triggered.   

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Heavy snowfall amounts today may create Storm Slab avalanche conditions. While the rain transitions to snow and temperatures cool throughout the day, the snow may fall faster than bonding will allow. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended today.

Avalanche Discussion

A winter storm warning and an avalanche warning are in effect through Sunday morning. 

A major winter storm will continue to impact the area today with intense amounts of wind, rain, and snow. Snowfall totals are forecasted to be 1 to 2 feet above 7000 feet and 2 to 3 feet above 8000 feet with winds gusting as high as 100 mph across ridgelines. Snow levels will be fluctuating throughout the day starting out around 8000-8500 ft this morning and dropping to 6000 feet this evening. Heavy bands of snow will produce whiteout conditions and hazardous travel in the mountains.

Regions covered