Bridgeport Avalanche Center

Avalanches are unlikely today.  Isolated pockets of wind slab snow in complex terrain, wet snow on solar aspects in the afternoon, and overall firm conditions are some of the challenges in the range today. Prepare for changing conditions by packing your sharps kit when heading into steep terrain.  General caution is advised. 

The Northeast wind from earlier in the week has died off, and we are back to a more typical westerly flow. Overall, the wind has sculpted the snowpack across the range; most snow surfaces out there have been hardened by it. Soft snow can still be found in the trees and in locations where the terrain is protected from the wind. A variety of crusts exist within the snowpack and on the surface. Near-surface facets have been forming in sheltered locations. 

Even though it is mid-January, the sun can be intense on solar aspects. Watch for changing wet snow conditions on southerly aspects, especially in and around the rocks or a cliff area as the rocks could heat up the snow and cause wet snow to sluff off. 

Moderately sloped terrain can be challenging to navigate in firm conditions. If you are new to this type of travel or getting familiar again, consider trying out your ski crampons or boot crampons in more forgiving terrain as you get used to traveling with the sharps on. Although not a full-strength axe, a whippet is also a useful tool to have in one's hand on the descent or ascent. 

When is it going to snow? The long-range forecast is showing little change; a high-pressure ridge is blocking the path of any storms that could be heading our way. There could be a change in the weather this weekend with colder daytime temperatures and increasing winds on Sierra ridges.