After 500 Avalanches in a Week in Colorado, CAIC Advises to Avoid Avalanche Terrain

The Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) warns that avalanche danger in the Northern and Central Mountains across Colorado remains at a Level 4 out of 5. Strong winds and sustained snowfall on Monday created very dangerous conditions and these conditions are anticipated to last at least until Wednesday and a special Avalanche Advisory is in effect for the rest of the state. The CAIC advises to avoid all avalanche terrain until conditions dissipate. 

Avalanche Warnings are in place for:

• Front Range
• Summit County
• Northern Sawatch Range
• Sawatch Range
• Park Range
• Flat Tops
• Gor Range
• Ruby Mountains
• Anthracite Mountains
• Ragged Mountains

CAIC advises that very dangerous avalanche conditions are continuing after the storm and that it is possible to easily trigger large avalanches. Especially snow accumulations caused by the strong winds are very prone to spontaneous slides. With another storm on Wednesday into Thursday morning, the very dangerous avalanche conditions will continue until Thursday.

Since last week, around 500 avalanches were reported across Colorado, 200 of which since last Friday, January 12, alone. While many of the avalanches released spontaneously, over 50 were triggered by people traveling in the backcountry. The CAIC would like to stress how easy it is to trigger an avalanche right now, including from a distance, so it is best to stay clear of any avalanche terrain until the situation improves.