Avalanche
DENVER – The Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) is warning backcountry travelers of a significant increase in avalanche danger across the Colorado mountains this weekend and through New Year’s Day. A series of snow storms will bring heavy snowfall and strong winds to the mountains. This combination will overload the very weak snowpack, making it easy to trigger dangerous avalanches this weekend and through New Year’s Day. The avalanche danger will reach HIGH (Level 4 of 5) in different places over the next three days. Backcountry travel is not recommended in avalanche terrain at HIGH avalanche danger.
- December 2024 Podcast: SnowBrains Podcast Ep. 73 | Dr. Ethan Greene – Director of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center
“We’re particularly worried because we haven’t seen much new snow in a few weeks, and our snowpack is now exceptionally weak. People will be excited about the new snow, have time off to enjoy the mountains, and at the same time, the avalanche danger will be the highest we’ve seen in a month.”
– CAIC Director Ethan Greene
The Northern and Central Mountains will see the most new snow and the highest avalanche danger. The mountains around Steamboat Springs will reach HIGH Friday evening. Dangerous areas will increase as snowfall continues through the weekend. By Monday afternoon, the skies will clear, but it will still be easy for people to trigger avalanches large enough to kill them.
“We’ll see natural avalanche activity this weekend, and people will be able to trigger avalanches large enough to seriously injure or kill them through the middle of next week.”
– Ethan Greene
CAIC issues avalanche danger ratings based on the North American Public Avalanche Danger Scale from LOW danger (Level 1) to EXTREME danger (Level 5). During certain avalanche conditions, CAIC also issues Avalanche Watches and Warnings when the avalanche hazard will be or is HIGH (Level 4) or EXTREME (Level 5). Special Avalanche Advisories are issued to alert the public of an increased safety risk due to potentially dangerous conditions for many people, such as a big storm occurring during a holiday weekend.
For the latest avalanche conditions, always visit CAIC’s website at Colorado.gov/avalanche. The CAIC strongly advises all backcountry travelers to check the avalanche forecast regularly and adjust their plans accordingly. Always carry proper avalanche safety gear, including a transceiver, probe, and shovel, and know how to use them. Avoid avalanche-prone terrain during periods of heightened danger.
AVWBOU THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE IS TRANSMITTED AT THE REQUEST OF THE COLORADO AVALANCHE INFORMATION CENTER. ...AVALANCHE WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH MONDAY... *WHAT...Heavy snowfall and strong winds are resulting in very dangerous avalance conditions. Avalanches will run naturally and long distances. Avalanches will also be very easy to trigger by people recreating on steep slopes in the backcountry. *WHERE...Park Range, Elkhead Mountains, Flat Tops, Gore Range, West Elk Mountains *WHEN...Friday evening through Monday evening *IMPACTS...Large and dangerous avalanches will be very easy to trigger in many places. Avalanches will release naturally. *PRECAUTION/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...Travel in backcountry avalanche terrain is not recommended in the mentioned areas. Avoid travel on and under slopes steeper than about 30 degrees. You can find more detailed information at colorado.gov/avalanche
