Avalanche forecast

Gunnison

Crested Butte Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Normal caution spring conditions have developed. High north-facing slopes still hold some cold powder, while snow surfaces elsewhere will be frozen this morning. As those snow surfaces thaw, there will be a period of good riding. Small wet loose avalanches could be triggered on steep slopes that develop a snow surface consisting of a few inches of wet snow. If you find a steep slope where you sink past your boot tops and towards your knees into wet snow, then you will have found an isolated area with a potentially larger wet avalanche problem. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    The new snow that accumulated towards the end of last week has gone through several melt-freeze cycles and wet loose avalanche cycles. Terrain management for wet loose avalanches still exists today, though there are fewer areas where the problem will develop when compared to last weekend. Keep an eye on how much-wet snow you encounter today, and this will help you anticipate if you will need to manage this avalanche problem in steep terrain.

    A small wet loose avalanche that was skier triggered on Gothic Mountain. 4/16.

Avalanche Discussion

High temperatures today will be cooler than yesterday, while southwest winds will be increasing through the day. All thanks to an approaching low-pressure trough. The snowpack went through a major heat shock last week, and then the snow that accumulated towards the end of last week has gone through several melt-freeze cycles. We have now arrived at normal caution spring conditions. Chase that high north powder or look for some nice corn riding, then keep an eye on how much wet snow you encounter later in the day. 

The avalanche danger looks like it will hold steady at LOW (1 of 5) for the next couple of days. The weather forecast isn't highlighting any notable amounts of new snow to accumulate and temperatures drop to below average for this time of year. If parts of the forecast area do pick up a few inches of new snow then we may see some small wind slabs develop. The weather forecast could change and maybe we see a little higher snow totals over the next few days. 

Regions covered