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 Front Range zone is overall CONSIDERABLE. Continued heavy snowfall in the forecast, could cause the danger to go even higher by late Friday, especially east of the Continental Divide where snowfall is expected to be heaviest. A natural cycle in the storm snow is possible as more snow accumulates. |
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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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Winter made a return to the Front Range zone on Thursday. Many areas close to the Divide received 8-12" of new snow, and heavy snowfall continues. Winds were swirly and gusty, so the snow will be drifting into some patchy slabs. Observations, so far, indicate a few loose slides starting from steep rocky areas and involving just the new snow. 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 older snowpack is transitioning to spring. Below treeline, sunny aspects have gone through repeated warm spells and the snowpack is mostly big, rounded grains like a snow cone. Lower elevations will have a crust on the surface with soggy snow underneath. Near and above treeline, the snowpack still has some winter-like layers in the middle of the snowpack. The new snow might be a big enough load to break these older layers in a few spots. The old snow surface was a mix of flavors, from slick dusty crusts, to hard drifted snow, breakable crusts, or creamy soft snow. You will want to check the bond on all steep slopes before you get on them.
Heavy snowfall favoring the east side of the Divide will continue through Friday. Up to 2 feet could accumulate by Saturday afternoon. Stay on your toes, and be wary of any steep slope with more than 6 inches of accumulation and drifting. Human triggered slides are probable and natural slides are possible. As snow continues to accumulate into Saturday, the avalanche danger could ride even further. A natural avalanche cycle is possible as the new snow slides off steep slopes. Slabs that build up will be very sensitive. |
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THREAT #1 |
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PROBABILITY |
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TREND |
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Over the next
24 hours.
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Continued heavy snowfall in the forecast, could cause the danger to go even higher by late Friday, especially east of the Continental Divide where snowfall is expected to be heaviest. |
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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 27. Northeast wind between 8 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 12 to 18 inches possible.
Tonight: Snow. Low around 20. North northwest wind between 5 and 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 9 to 13 inches possible.
Saturday: Snow. High near 34. Northwest wind between 7 and 13 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 20. Northwest wind between 6 and 13 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! |
