An avalanche watch is in effect for the Colorado high country through Tuesday afternoon as a looming snowstorm threatens to drop nearly two feet of snow in the mountains.
The National Weather Service in Boulder says some high elevation areas could see up to 20 inches of snow as the weather system passes through.
Snowfall could linger into early Wednesday.
“Large and dangerous natural and human-triggered avalanches will be likely in all steep terrain until at least Wednesday,” the Colorado Avalanche Information Center said in a warning.
Wind and snow are expected to combine and heighten slide danger, which is already listed as moderate.
The avalanche watch is in effect until 3 p.m. on Tuesday.
Two snowboarders were caught and partially buried in a backcountry avalanche southwest of Breckenridge Ski Area on Saturday, the CAIC says. Neither was seriously injured.
Jesse Paul: 303-954-1733, jpaul@denverpost.com or @JesseAPaul
