Avalanche forecast

Bridgeport Avalanche Center

Bridgeport Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Highlights

An incoming low-pressure system enters our area today with strong Southwest wind, a chance of isolated thunderstorms, and a mixture of rain and snow. Watch out for wet loose snow instabilities as above-freezing temperatures today could create wet and unstable travel conditions.  Choose your terrain carefully and be willing to adjust your plan as wet snow conditions change throughout the day. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Snow levels are forecasted to be around 9,000 feet today with no snow expected and liquid totals to be around .10". This liquid total amount is relatively small however rain on snow and wet surface snow will be a concern today.  Last night temperatures remained inverted and above freezing at several of the SNOTEL sites around 9,000 feet, if a surface freeze formed overnight it could quickly be broken down today by sun or rain later in the day. Rain on snow can create difficult travel conditions and rapidly break down the bonds between snow grains in the snowpack. Mushy, heavy, wet snow conditions remain a concern today. Steeper slopes could start to see signs of natural point release activity especially in complex terrain in and around rocks or trigger points during the warmest part of the day.  Wet snow has the capability of entraining and grabbing onto adjacent snow as it slowly starts to move down the mountain.  Depending on slope configurations, a slow-moving wet pile of snow can quickly turn into a larger slide easily knocking a person off their feet. Strong wind from the Southwest will keep some snow surfaces cool today.  Temperatures are forecasted to remain well above freezing up to the Sierra Crest. 

Avalanche Discussion

A big change in the weather starts today as we depart from the very warm and wet spring conditions that have been present this week. Early in the week, we found cold wintry snow in the Alpine above 10,000 ft. By mid-week this winter snow had begun to transition to wet, consolidated, heavy snow at all aspects and elevations. The solar radiation was intense the past few days and yesterday a high of 46 degrees was recorded at the Leavitt Lake SNOTEL.  The big question will be the timing and amount of precipitation that will start to fall on late Friday afternoon into the evening.  Accumulation numbers are looking small on Friday during the day keeping wind slab off the problem list during the day. If the timing of the snowfall changes and snow begins to accumulate, keep an eye out for wind slab formations starting in the Alpine and near treeline terrain, especially on ridges or leeward terrain. Our most likely aspects for this problem range from NW-N-NE-E-SE when strong wind is present from the SW. As mentioned in the wet loose discussion today, solar slopes will be heating up today, and wind from the southwest should help keep surfaces cool as it carries away heat from the snow surface. 

Regions covered