Denver, CO – A regional Avalanche Warning is in effect for northern Colorado’s mountain ranges through 5 p.m. Saturday, with forecasters calling conditions “very dangerous” due to heavy snow and strong winds. The Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC), via the National Weather Service, says avalanche danger is rated HIGH (Level 4 of 5) for the Park Range and the Gore Range.
According to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, heavy snowfall combined with intense wind loading is creating unstable slabs across large portions of the backcountry. Officials say large and dangerous avalanches will release naturally, and human-triggered avalanches will be easy to initiate on steep terrain.
Backcountry skiers, riders, and snowmobilers are being urged to avoid all avalanche terrain, including slopes steeper than 30 degrees, as well as areas directly beneath steep, wind-loaded faces. Conditions are expected to remain hazardous through Saturday afternoon as snowfall continues.
CAIC says dangerous avalanche activity may occur without warning, especially on leeward slopes where winds have deposited deep drifts.
More detailed zone forecasts and safety information can be found at colorado.gov/avalanche.
