Avalanche forecast

Bridgeport Avalanche Center

Bridgeport Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired last year.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

Highlights

Recent snowfall and strong winds have created dangerous avalanche conditions.  Unstable wind-affected snow is likely to generate large human-triggered avalanches today. Cautious route finding and conservative decision-making will help you navigate the avalanche problem today.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    New snow and strong winds are needed ingredients to form wind slabs, we have had plenty of both this past storm cycle. An impressive 5.9 inches of SWE arrived since the morning of 3/12 and has been accompanied by strong SW winds. As we have a lull in storms over the weekend, precip  has begun to taper off, but  wind speeds will remain in the 20- 50 MPH range today. With plenty of fresh snow and continued strong winds, wind slabs will continue to form on leeward slopes.

    Triggering a wind slab avalanche could have serious consequences today. With the recent snow and wind,  a human-triggered avalanche is possible and could produce a Large avalanche. The good thing about wind slabs is we can use visual clues to inform ourselves about snowpack stability. Watch for blowing snow, wind drifted snow ,cracking or whumping, and you can always use a test slope to get clues on how reactive a slab is with out being in harms way.

    Avoiding avalanche terrain until the snowpack has healed is the safe bet today, if you choose to enter avalanche terrain, thoughtful and mindful route finding and decision-making are key. Don't let powder fever overcome practical avalanche risk managment. 

     

     

Avalanche Discussion

  • In sheltered areas where the wind does not affect the snow as much, be alert that storm slab avalanches may exist. With less exposure to wind, pockets of unstable snow may exist in the sheltered locations. Layers within the new snow may not have had time to bond yet and may be unstable. 
  • After a stormy week and a mild winter, we finally have snow fresh snow. Powder fever, scarcity, froth whatever you call it, it's real. Don't let the excitement of Pow turns overrule good decision making.
  • As always, please submit your observations. Forecasters can't be everywhere in one day, but providing observations helps us write a more accurate forecast for you!

Regions covered