Log In

New snow and strong winds increase avalanche danger across Colorado - CBS Colorado

Published 1 month ago2 minute read

/ CBS Colorado

Avalanche conditions in Colorado worsening due to new snow, wind

Avalanche conditions in Colorado worsening due to new snow, wind 05:55

Another storm is moving into the high country this weekend, increasing concern for avalanches. 

1-homepage-1.png
CAIC

Experts warn that more snow and wind has created widespread considerable avalanche danger across most of the sate with the southeast mountains sitting at moderate danger. 

3-wind-run.png
CAIC

This photo, shared by the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC), shows the type of avalanches the CAIC is worried about with new snow moving in. Ski, snowboard, and snowmobile-triggered avalanches are happening on steeper slopes drifted by winds. Wind loaded, rocky areas will be the most dangerous slopes heading into the weekend. 

3-14-grand-mesa-amu-2.jpg
CAIC

The wind and the snow are not the only problem. You can see on this snowpack profile taken near Sunlight Ski Resort, there are weak lower layers. The main concern, is any avalanche that happens in the newly wind drifted snow could potential break into some of the deeper weak layers closer to the ground leading to very large avalanches that experts warn would be difficult to survive.

5-layers.jpg
CAIC

Anyone traveling in the backcountry should always carry proper safety gear, including an avalanche transceiver, probe, and shovel, and know how to use those tools. Daily avalanche forecasts can be found at Avalanche.State.Co.us/

Callie Zanandrie

callie-zanadrie.jpg

Callie Zanandrie provides the latest forecast from the First Alert Weather Center for CBS News Colorado. Read her bio & send her an email.

Twitter Facebook Facebook

Origin:
publisher logo
CBS Colorado
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

You may also like...