Avalanche danger has risen to CONSIDERABLE (3 of 5) for sections of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, with new snow impacting the conditions throughout the region.
According to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, snow fall hit Colorado’s Northern Mountains through Thursday night, delivering up to a foot or more of snow in some areas. Backcountry skiers, snowboarders, and recreators on Friday could trigger fresh wind slab avalanches, though the size and likelihood depend on where they are in the state.
Most avalanches triggered today are expected to remain small, but they could still cary riders into rocks, trees, or over cliffs in the wrong spot. The Park Range in Northwest Colorado is now at a CONSIDERABLE (3 of 5) avalanche danger, while the Central and Southern Mountains have seen the danger trend down to MODERATE (2 of 5) in the areas that picked up snow through Tuesday-Wednesday.
Conditions are improving, but it is still very possible to trigger an avalanche. This is especially true on steep, wind drifted slopes at upper elevations. Backcountry skiers and snowboarders should avoid steep, wind-loaded slopes in the alpine and keep an eye out for stiff, rounded, or pillowy snow. Lower-angle slopes and more sheltered terrain will likely feature safer conditions.
You can read the full avalanche forecast for Colorado here.
