Avalanche
While the incoming storm bringing multiple feet of snow to Colorado’s mountains is reason to rejoice, it will also bring with it deadly avalanche conditions.
Yesterday the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) issued an avalanche warning from Wednesday afternoon through Friday night.
An Avalanche Watch is in effect for the Steamboat/Flat Tops, Aspen, Gunnison, North San Juan, and South San Juan zones. A large storm is moving into Colorado with heavy snow and strong winds. As the storm progresses, very dangerous avalanche conditions will develop by Thursday evening. A natural avalanche cycle is likely, especially on northerly-facing slopes. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended by late Thursday and through Friday.
– CAIC
Ethan Greene, Executive Director of the CAIC, says the biggest issue is that the snow that has survived weeks of recent dry weather has become granular and will become an unstable base for the new snow expected this week.
“Anytime we get new snow on top of that. We’re starting to see avalanches. Right now they’re fairly small but as the winter progresses it’s going to change. It’s enough to create small avalanches, as we get more snow on top of it, those avalanches will get larger.”
– Dr. Ethan Greene
The CAIC urges all backcountry users to be smart and safe while the snowpack begins to build.
“Check the avalanche forecast. Make sure you know the conditions before you go out, get a little bit of training. A little bit of education could save your life.”
– Dr. Ethan Greene
