Avalanche forecast

Bridgeport Avalanche Center

Bridgeport Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Above freezing temperatures after a recent rain on snow event are making human-triggered wet avalanches possible in steep terrain at all elevations. There is uncertainty about how warm temps and wet snow condtions will effect the snowpack. Keep safety margins wide and avoid steep exposed terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wet Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3

    Wet slab avalanches are difficult to predict and are currently high consequence, low likelihood. We have not seen any wet-slab avalanches in the forecast area since the recent rain on snow storm.  However, the ingredients are still here:  Temps above freezing, 1.5'' of rain on 2-6' of recent snow and a weak layer/bed surface.  

    Winds are expected to increase today, which may reduce warming on north-facing terrain in the alpine. South facing slopes and near to below treeline terrain on all aspects will still be receiving considerable daytime heat and non-freezing nightime temps.  Terrain over around 30 degrees and steeper in these areas should be considered suspect until the mountains receive freezing temperatures.

  • Loose Wet

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

    Multiple natural wet loose avalanches on all aspects and up to D2+ in size have been observed in the forecast area over the last few days.  Local Snotel sites have not seen freezing temperatures since 2/22.  Light to moderate winds in alpine terrain have reduced surface warming of northerly aspects the past couple days and winds are expected to increase today.

    Be wary of soft, unsupportable snow on slopes steeper than 30 degrees. A wet-loose avalanche has the potential to step-down to a very large and destructive wet slab avalanche.

    (2/26/2026)

    Recent natural wet-loose avalanche in the Leavitt Lake area.

    Photo: Bridgeport Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

Temperatures have not reached below freezing in most locations since 2/22. This combined with a recent heavy rain storm on new snow with an underlying faceted weak layer has cause for concern.  We have not seen any  wet-slab avalanches since these weather events, but the ingredients are still here.  Many natural wet loose avalanches have been observed over the past few days and human-triggering is still possible.  We currently have a February snowpack in mid and upper elevations with May-like surfaces. Despite the wet snow problems, winds in the alpine have created firm, slick surfaces on north facing terrain and should also be considered in travel plans.

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