Avalanche danger will be high throughout Colorado this week as a strong winter storm that’s expected to wallop the mountains with up to 30 inches of snow in some areas moves across the state.
The has issued an avalanche warning through Friday morning for the Gunnison area, where strong winds and heavy snowfall is expected to quickly increase the danger of slides. The warning says very dangerous avalanche conditions are expected to prompt large slides to spontaneously release.
Backcountry travel in avalanche travel around Gunnison is not recommended, the CAIC says.
https://twitter.com/CAICsummit/status/816636918704181248
An avalanche watch is in effect until midday Thursday for the mountainous areas around Vail, Aspen, Silverthorne, Frisco, Steamboat Springs, Winter Park, Rocky Mountain National Park and Wolf Creek Pass.
In Summit County, avalanche danger is expected to be considerable on Wednesday and high on Thursday.
“The new snow is falling on a weak, sugary snow surface that formed last weekend,” the CAIC said in a forecast bulletin. “New storm snow will not bond well to older snow. It is likely you will be able to trigger Storm Slab avalanches on any steep slope, especially easterly slopes that are wind loaded. Although the size of avalanches will initially be small, avalanches that are large enough to bury a person may be possible by (Wednesday) afternoon.”
A winter storm warning has been issued through late Thursday and early Friday by the National Weather Service in Grand Junction for much of the Western Slope.
Latest radar loop early this morning shows showers of rain & snow increasing. Be prepared before heading out on the roads today!
— NWS Grand Junction (@NWSGJT)
Aspen, Snowmass, Vail, Crested Butte and Silverton are expected to see 15 to 30 inches of snow — with locally higher amounts — by the storm’s end.
Breckenridge and Berthoud Pass could see up to 18 inches of snow before Friday morning, the weather service says.
“Travel will become hazardous due to snow-covered roads and poor visibility,” the weather service said in its warning. “If traveling into the Colorado high country, be sure to have adequate snow tires and allow extra time to reach your destination safely.”
