Bollettino valanghe

Gunnison

Crested Butte Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Sun
Alta quota
2 · Moderato
Limite del bosco
1 · Debole
Sotto il limite
1 · Debole
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Non aggiornato — questo bollettino è scaduto last year. Stai vedendo condizioni passate, non il bollettino in corso.

In sintesi

Recent snowfall may create new slabs at upper elevations.  Winds have been generally light, but you could encounter isolated wind-loaded features.  To reduce the likelihood of triggering an avalanche, identify wind-loading patterns and steer clear of recently formed drifts.  Stiffer-feeling snow and cracking are indications that you have found wind-blown snow.

Problemi valanghivi

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    1–1.5

    Wind speeds remain light at most locations; however, at the start of the storm on Friday morning, winds transported some snow at upper elevations.  There may be an increase in wind on Saturday afternoon, so conditions may continue to evolve throughout the day.  Storm totals are generally 6 inches or less, with a few more inches possible during the day.  Much of the new snow falls on textured crusts, but some high-elevation north slopes remain dry with a lightly faceted old surface that may not bond well.

    Above treeline elevations are the most probable place to find a recent drift, but there's a lower chance of encountering one at lower elevations.  Recent cornice formation, scoured ridgelines, and stiff textures can help you identify places with recent drifting.  

    This avalanche failed on the lee side of a cross-loaded ridge of Mt Axtell earlier this winter. 

Avalanche Discussion

Rather small storm totals and mostly light winds offer reasonable riding conditions, creating isolated avalanche problems across the landscape.  The most likely place to trigger a shallow avalanche is at upper elevations, where the wind has deposited recent snow.  The first windy period on Friday morning blew from a southwesterly direction, so the initial drifting favored north and east aspects.  Later today, the wind direction may shift more to the north, potentially altering the loading patterns.  Either way, the potential avalanche size typically remains small, but big enough to knock you down and drag you into trees or rocks.  Evaluate the consequences of steep terrain and how the new snow is bonding to the surface below before you commit to riding steep slopes at upper elevations.

A couple more inches of snow are possible today, but there's not enough snow to cause much concern in wind-protected areas unless Mother Nature overdelivers on snowfall today.  You may be able to push tiny loose avalanches on the old crust on very steep features, and if the sun pops out, the new snow may become wet quickly. 

Warmer temperatures and clearer skies return on Sunday.  Expect the recent snow to become wet and possibly produce a small shed cycle, where the new snow produces loose avalanches that slide above the old crusts.  Given the meager storm totals, these avalanches remain on the small end of the size spectrum, but they might be fairly common.   

Regioni coperte