Bridgeport Avalanche Center

Avalanches remain unlikely today, conditions are fast and firm. The biggest hazard for mountain travelers is navigating the surface conditions.  Icy slopes, firm wind board, abrupt changes in snow cover should be considered when route finding. Slide for life conditions may exist on steep slopes, use extra caution in steeper terrain.

Normal caution

After a well above freezing temps and a  high elevation rain eventlast week our snowpack has become very firm and icy since the re-freeze occurred. Cold NE winds have kept the snow surfaces from thawing, instead we have since teeth chattering refrozen conditions. If you do venture out today be sure you have your sharps kit with you ( crampons, ice axe, whippet etc...) a long sliding fall could have serious consequences if you are unable to self arrest. Access to the mountains has been tricky as well, snow bridges have melted significantly, roads are half melted out and are either still full of snow or a sloppy mess.

• Post high elevation rain from last week and hard refreezing temperatures with brisk North wind over the past 3 days has left our snowpack surface very firm on all aspects and elevations.
• Predicted continued N/ NE mid slope and ridge winds today will keep most if not all, elevations and aspects surfaces firm.
• Sharps kit for experienced backcountry skiers and riders looking to get into steeper terrain, is a good idea.
• Gradual warming trend this weekend, snow surfaces should start to warm and soften by next week. Looking for solar aspect point releases and roller balls to began after Sunday, when N/NE winds diminish.
• Isolated surface instabilities aren't out of the question. Keep assessing snowpack throughout the day as aspects and elevations change with your terrain travel.
• Next weeks conditions and weather look prime for corn skiing.

Please consider submitting an observation using our website or the Avy app. This hones your skills, informs other users, and improves our forecasts.