AVALANCHE WARNING »
Dangerous avalanche conditions are occuring or are imminent.
Backcountry travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.
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Notice: The avalanche danger for the Steamboat zone is MODERATE on most aspects and elevations. On steep slopes the new snow will run as loose avalanches easily. |
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BOTTOM LINE
Danger by aspect and elevation on slopes approaching 35° or steeper.
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Danger! Tons of new snow and wind with this storm cycle. |
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CURRENT CONDITIONS |
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Accumulations on Thursday ran from 3 to 10 inches around the zone. Accumulations in the Park Range were on the upper end. Winds were light, from the northwest shifting to northeast. Our observer on Rabbit Ears found heavy snow falling in the morning accumulating to 8", but a brief period of afternoon sunshine brought quick settlement. The underlying snowpack is very strong so current avalanche concerns are confined to the storm snow.
A few automated weather stations indicate Thursday night snowfall amounts generally less than 3", although they could be higher on east aspects. Bonding between the new and old snow surface will be variable, depending on which flavor of surface it accumulates on. There will be storm instabilities in the new snow, too. The avalanche danger will be higher where you find more storm snow. Stay on your toes, and be wary of any steep slope with more than 6 inches of accumulation and drifting. Most of the avalanches will be loose, but could become fairly sizable. Loose avalanches are a problem if they drag you into rocks, trees, or terrain traps.
Below 9000 feet, you might find older layers that are still wet. Check for wet layers trapped under the new snow. Be careful around very wet slopes that end in terrain traps. |
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THREAT #1 |
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PROBABILITY |
SIZE |
TREND |
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Over the next
24 hours.
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On steep slopes the new snow will run as loose avalanches easily. |
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THREAT #2 |
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| WHERE |
PROBABILITY |
SIZE |
TREND |
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Over the next
24 hours.
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High wind with this latest storm cycle, expect considerable wind slabs and pockets of wind buff. |
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MOUNTAIN WEATHER |
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A closed low over northern New Mexico continues to trek slowly east-northeastward toward the southeast corner of Colorado. A nice fetch of moisture is wrapping around the low with heaviest precipitation spread across the northern half of the state Friday morning. Easterly upslope flow will generate heavy snow east of the Continental Divide through Saturday evening where up to 2 feet of snow could accumulate. Most favored areas are foothill locations around 7-10,000' where precipitation is heavier and temperatures remain cold enough for snow to accumulate. Total storm accumulations drop off quickly heading west of the Divide. The low moves across Kansas on Saturday and into the Mississippi Valley by Sunday. Snowfall ends from west to east on Saturday and moves completely out by early Sunday morning. Dry northwest flow on Sunday will keep temperatures seasonably cool, but April sunshine will warm the snow surface quickly. High pressure builds through mid-week with warmer temperatures each day. No precipitation is expected through the week.
Above 10,000ft:
Today: Snow. High near 28. Blustery, with a east northeast wind 21 to 24 mph decreasing to between 7 and 10 mph. Winds could gust as high as 34 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 11 to 17 inches possible.
Tonight: Snow. Low around 17. East wind 6 to 11 mph becoming north. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 9 to 13 inches possible.
Saturday: Snow. High near 35. North northwest wind between 11 and 17 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 5 to 9 inches possible.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of snow before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16. North northwest wind between 9 and 14 mph.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 39. Northwest wind between 6 and 9 mph.
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| !!! This advisory describes general avalanche conditions, local variations always occur. Please have current avalanche knowledge and travel safely in the backcountry. Please contact the CAIC for the most current information and reports! Colorado Avalanche Information Center 325 Broadway St. WS#1 Boulder, CO 80305 caic@qwest.net 303.499.9650 303.499.9618 (fax) |
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| !!! The information in this advisory is from you, the general public. It is meant as additional information for making educated backcountry decisions. Call 303.499.9650 for the current CAIC report! |
