Aspen ===== Current Keywords: LOW, beacon, cornices, orographic, probe, shovel, slabs, start zones, wind drift, wind loading, Mountain Weather and Avalanche Forecast for the Aspen Zone Forecast Issued on 11/26/2007 3:52:09 PM Forecaster: John Snook Weather Synopsis Clearing skies are moving in from the northwest following this morning's passage of a weak short-wave that dropped 1-2" of snow on some northern and central mountain locations. Mostly clear skies remain for tonight and tomorrow. Very strong ridge top winds over and east of the Continental Divide will develop on Tuesday. Computer forecasts continue to show the next system to arrive Tuesday night. Mountain snow is expected to start Tuesday night and last until Wednesday morning. Accumulations look to be in the 2-5" range for the northern and central mountains and lesser amounts for the northern San Juan. Much colder air will follow in on Wednesday. Stronger west-to-east zonal flow will establish itself for the latter part of the week. This will favor periods of orographic snow for the mountains. Timing is difficult at this point - best chances appear to be light snow on Thursday for the north and more widespread mountain snow on Saturday. Weather Monday Night Tuesday Tuesday Night Temperature(°F) 10-15 23-28 -3 to 2 Wind Speed(mph) 10-20 15-25 G40 10-20 G30 Wind Direction WSW WSW W Sky Cover Mostly Clear Mostly Clear Overcast Snow(in) 0 0 1-3 Snowpack Discussion We have not received any reports of slide activity from the Aspen zone. But a recent incident from the Loveland Pass area highlights the need to keep your awareness up. Four small slides occurred above Pass Lake (12,300'), just south of Loveland Pass. One slide was initiated when a hiker inadvertently broke loose a piece of wind drift from ridge line. The slide caught a second member of the party and carried him for several feet before self-arresting by grabbing a rock. He was buried up to his waist. Even though everyone in the party of three owned avalanche gear, no one was carrying the gear under the assumption that there was not enough snow to require such precautions. Even during early season, you must practice safe backcountry skills. Choose a safe route. Avoid traveling across avalanche start zones and underneath cornices. Travel one at a time if you must cross such areas, and do not be afraid to turn around and find an alternative route. Always carry avalanche safety gear, including beacon, shovel, and probe, and know how to use the equipment. Light snow fell on the Aspen zone Monday morning. Westerly winds over the past several days have been strong enough to transport snow onto north through east aspects creating isolated pockets of tender slabs above treeline. For the most part, these are the areas one would look for to ride. If you choose to ride, be prepared to test the snow stability on the slope in question before jumping in with a full commitment. The most likely injuries if caught in a slide under our current conditions would be from rocks and other terrain features. Avalanche Danger Avalanche danger in the Aspen Zone is rated an overall LOW. Please remember that at a LOW rating it is still possible to see avalanche activity. Keep an eye out for any areas above treeline that have seen recent wind loading. Observations for the Aspen Zone, or any other area, can be sent to [59]caic@qwest.net . Front Range =========== Current Keywords: LOW, MODERATE, avalanche danger, beacon, cornices, natural, orographic, probe, shovel, slabs, start zones, wind drift, Mountain Weather and Avalanche Forecast for the Front Range Zone Forecast Issued on 11/26/2007 3:44:37 PM Forecaster: John Snook Weather Synopsis Clearing skies are moving in from the northwest following this morning's passage of a weak short-wave that dropped 1-2" of snow on some northern and central mountain locations. Mostly clear skies remain for tonight and tomorrow. Very strong ridge top winds over and east of the Continental Divide will develop on Tuesday. Computer forecasts continue to show the next system to arrive Tuesday night. Mountain snow is expected to start Tuesday night and last until Wednesday morning. Accumulations look to be in the 2-5" range for the northern and central mountains and lesser amounts for the northern San Juan. Much colder air will follow in on Wednesday. Stronger west-to-east zonal flow will establish itself for the latter part of the week. This will favor periods of orographic snow for the mountains. Timing is difficult at this point - best chances appear to be light snow on Thursday for the north and more widespread mountain snow on Saturday. Weather Monday Night Tuesday Tuesday Night Temperature(°F) 12-17 27-32 0-5 Wind Speed(mph) 15-25 G35 25-35 G60 15-25 G45 Wind Direction W W W Sky Cover Partly Cloudy Mostly Clear Overcast Snow(in) 0 0 2-4 Snowpack Discussion An observer noted some natural slide activity on Saturday near Rollins Pass on an ESE aspect near 11,300'. Similar activity was noted from above Pass Lake (12,300'), just south of Loveland Pass, where four small slides were observed. One slide was initiated when a hiker inadvertently broke loose a piece of wind drift from ridge line. The slide caught a second member of the party and carried him for several feet before self-arresting by grabbing a rock. He was buried up to his waist. Even though everyone in the party of three owned avalanche gear, no one was carrying the gear under the assumption that there was not enough snow to require such precautions. Even during early season, you must practice safe backcountry skills. Choose a safe route. Avoid traveling across avalanche start zones and underneath cornices. Travel one at a time if you must cross such areas, and do not be afraid to turn around and find an alternative route. Always carry avalanche safety gear, including beacon, shovel, and probe, and know how to use the equipment. Early reports indicate that 1-2" of snow fell near Berthoud Pass this morning. Westerly winds over the past several days have been strong enough to transport snow onto north through east aspects creating isolated pockets of tender slabs above treeline. For the most part, these are the areas one would look for to ride. If you choose to ride, be prepared to test the snow stability on the slope in question before jumping in with a full commitment. The most likely injuries if caught in a slide under our current conditions would be from rocks and other terrain features. Avalanche Danger There are pockets of MODERATE avalanche danger on steep north, northeast, and east aspects above treeline. Otherwise the avalanche danger is LOW. Grand Mesa ========== Current Keywords: LOW, avalanche danger, avalanche hazard, beacon, orographic, Mountain Weather and Avalanche Forecast for the Grand Mesa Zone Forecast Issued on 11/26/2007 3:48:56 PM Forecaster: John Snook Weather Synopsis Clearing skies are moving in from the northwest following this morning's passage of a weak short-wave that dropped 1-2" of snow on some northern and central mountain locations. Mostly clear skies remain for tonight and tomorrow. Very strong ridge top winds over and east of the Continental Divide will develop on Tuesday. Computer forecasts continue to show the next system to arrive Tuesday night. Mountain snow is expected to start Tuesday night and last until Wednesday morning. Accumulations look to be in the 2-5" range for the northern and central mountains and lesser amounts for the northern San Juan. Much colder air will follow in on Wednesday. Stronger west-to-east zonal flow will establish itself for the latter part of the week. This will favor periods of orographic snow for the mountains. Timing is difficult at this point - best chances appear to be light snow on Thursday for the north and more widespread mountain snow on Saturday. Weather Monday Night Tuesday Tuesday Night Temperature(°F) 18-23 30-35 2-7 Wind Speed(mph) 0-10 10-20 10-20 Wind Direction S SW WNW Sky Cover Mostly Clear Mostly Clear Overcast Snow(in) 0 0 0-2 Snowpack Discussion Grand Mesa picked up 6 inches of new snow from last weeks storm, and a little more was likely added on Monday morning, but not enough to change the avalanche hazard. Areas of patchy snow could be found prior to the storm though there is still too little snow to pose much of an avalanche danger. Now is a good time to be preparing for a safe season in the backcountry: Re-read some of those books you have, sign up for a local avalanche course, and go practice your avalanche beacon skills with your friends. When you venture into the mountains, practice safe route selection, evaluate local snowpack stability, and communicate effectively with your partners. With more snow in the long-range forecast, it won't be long before these skills will be essential. Avalanche Danger The avalanche danger for the Grand Mesa zone is LOW. If you have observations from this area, or any other, please send them to [59]caic@qwest.net San Juan North ============== Current Keywords: LOW, MODERATE, avalanche danger, beacon, faceted, human triggered, orographic, slab, wind slabs, Mountain Weather and Avalanche Forecast for the Northern San Juan Mountain Zone Forecast Issued on 11/26/2007 3:49:19 PM Forecaster: John Snook Weather Synopsis Clearing skies are moving in from the northwest following this morning's passage of a weak short-wave that dropped 1-2" of snow on some northern and central mountain locations. Mostly clear skies remain for tonight and tomorrow. Very strong ridge top winds over and east of the Continental Divide will develop on Tuesday. Computer forecasts continue to show the next system to arrive Tuesday night. Mountain snow is expected to start Tuesday night and last until Wednesday morning. Accumulations look to be in the 2-5" range for the northern and central mountains and lesser amounts for the northern San Juan. Much colder air will follow in on Wednesday. Stronger west-to-east zonal flow will establish itself for the latter part of the week. This will favor periods of orographic snow for the mountains. Timing is difficult at this point - best chances appear to be light snow on Thursday for the north and more widespread mountain snow on Saturday. Weather Monday Night Tuesday Tuesday Night Temperature(°F) 15-20 27-32 0-5 Wind Speed(mph) 5-15 15-25 G35 10-20 Wind Direction S SW WSW Sky Cover Mostly Clear Mostly Clear Overcast Snow(in) 0 0 0-1 Snowpack Discussion No slide activity has been reported from the Northern San Juan zone since Saturday when a small soft slab slide ran in the Mammoth Fingers near Telluride. Winds during the past several days have been strong enough to transport snow onto a variety of above treeline aspects. As a result, northerly slopes in the high country have received some decent loading. Recent wind slabs on these aspects sit on either faceted, cohesionless snow, or fairly slick wind-affected surface snow with which the new slab may struggle to bond. Snow from this last storm is mostly sitting on bare ground on other aspects, and especially on southerly aspects near and below treeline is disappearing quickly. Human triggered slides remain possible on steep northerly slopes - remember that even a small slide can drag you across rocks and other terrain hazards. Now is a good time to be preparing for a safe season in the backcountry: Re-read some of those books you have, sign up for a local avalanche course, and go practice your avalanche beacon skills with your friends. When you venture into the mountains, practice safe route selection, evaluate local snowpack stability, and communicate effectively with your partners. With more snow in the long-range forecast, it won't be long before these skills will be essential. Avalanche Danger The avalanche danger in the Northern San Juan Zone is generally LOW, but on NW-N-NE aspects that are 35 degrees or steeper near and above treeline, the hazard is MODERATE. If you have observations from this area, or any other, please [59]Submit an Observation. San Juan South ============== Current Keywords: LOW, avalanche danger, beacon, facets, orographic, settled, slab, surface hoar, Mountain Weather and Avalanche Forecast for the Southern San Juan Mountain Zone Forecast Issued on 11/26/2007 3:49:39 PM Forecaster: John Snook Weather Synopsis Clearing skies are moving in from the northwest following this morning's passage of a weak short-wave that dropped 1-2" of snow on some northern and central mountain locations. Mostly clear skies remain for tonight and tomorrow. Very strong ridge top winds over and east of the Continental Divide will develop on Tuesday. Computer forecasts continue to show the next system to arrive Tuesday night. Mountain snow is expected to start Tuesday night and last until Wednesday morning. Accumulations look to be in the 2-5" range for the northern and central mountains and lesser amounts for the northern San Juan. Much colder air will follow in on Wednesday. Stronger west-to-east zonal flow will establish itself for the latter part of the week. This will favor periods of orographic snow for the mountains. Timing is difficult at this point - best chances appear to be light snow on Thursday for the north and more widespread mountain snow on Saturday. Weather Monday Night Tuesday Tuesday Night Temperature(°F) 17-22 30-35 7-12 Wind Speed(mph) 0-10 10-20 G30 10-20 Wind Direction S SW SW Sky Cover Mostly Clear Mostly Clear Mostly Cloudy Snow(in) 0 0 0 Snowpack Discussion There was limited snow cover throughout the Southern San Juan zone before Friday's storm. New snow Friday fell mainly on bare ground. Our observer spent the night in the field Saturday night. He found that clear days had settled the snowpack down to 8". He also noted widespread surface hoar development. Not a problem today, but something to keep in mind as the winter snowpack builds. Some old rounded facets are lurking on shady north aspects, but there was no slab in the new snow. There was not enough coverage to create a bed surface. Consequently avalanche danger has not gone up. Getting into the backcountry will still be a little tricky, with rocks and other hidden treasures lurking just underneath last week's snow. Now is a good time to be preparing for a safe season in the backcountry: Re-read some of those books you have, sign up for a local avalanche course, and go practice your avalanche beacon skills with your friends. When you venture into the mountains, practice safe route selection, evaluate local snowpack stability, and communicate effectively with your partners. With more snow in the long-range forecast, it won't be long before these skills will be essential. Avalanche Danger The avalanche danger in the Southern San Juan zone is LOW. Sangre de Christo ================= Current Keywords: LOW, avalanche danger, beacon, crust, drifts, orographic, stabilize, start zones, Mountain Weather and Avalanche Forecast for the Sangre De Cristo Zone Forecast Issued on 11/26/2007 3:50:00 PM Forecaster: John Snook Weather Synopsis Clearing skies are moving in from the northwest following this morning's passage of a weak short-wave that dropped 1-2" of snow on some northern and central mountain locations. Mostly clear skies remain for tonight and tomorrow. Very strong ridge top winds over and east of the Continental Divide will develop on Tuesday. Computer forecasts continue to show the next system to arrive Tuesday night. Mountain snow is expected to start Tuesday night and last until Wednesday morning. Accumulations look to be in the 2-5" range for the northern and central mountains and lesser amounts for the northern San Juan. Much colder air will follow in on Wednesday. Stronger west-to-east zonal flow will establish itself for the latter part of the week. This will favor periods of orographic snow for the mountains. Timing is difficult at this point - best chances appear to be light snow on Thursday for the north and more widespread mountain snow on Saturday. Weather Monday Night Tuesday Tuesday Night Temperature(°F) 17-22 28-33 5-10 Wind Speed(mph) 10-20 G30 15-25 G50 15-25 G35 Wind Direction SSW SW SW Sky Cover Mostly Clear Mostly Clear Mostly Cloudy Snow(in) 0 0 0 Snowpack Discussion 3-4" of new snow was reported from the southern end of the Sangres Saturday morning. For the season so far, there has been limited snow cover throughout the Sangre de Cristo zone. Shaded areas above 11,000' have the most snow. The winds have built some smooth rounded drifts that are a couple of feet deep, but they present little danger at this time. Time and warm temperatures have helped to stabilize the small amounts of snow in avalanche start zones. Most sun-exposed aspects have little or no snow cover, but where this is snow, a hard melt freeze crust has developed. Now is a good time to be preparing for a safe season in the backcountry: Re-read some of those books you have, sign up for a local avalanche course, and go practice your avalanche beacon skills with your friends. When you venture into the mountains, practice safe route selection, evaluate local snowpack stability, and communicate effectively with your partners. With more snow in the long-range forecast, it won't be long before these skills will be essential. Avalanche Danger The avalanche danger in the Sangre de Cristo zone is LOW. Remember, LOW does not mean avalanches are impossible. Sawatch ======= Current Keywords: LOW, avalanche danger, beacon, cornices, orographic, probe, shovel, slabs, start zones, wind drift, wind loaded, Mountain Weather and Avalanche Forecast for the Sawatch Range Zone Forecast Issued on 11/26/2007 3:50:27 PM Forecaster: John Snook Weather Synopsis Clearing skies are moving in from the northwest following this morning's passage of a weak short-wave that dropped 1-2" of snow on some northern and central mountain locations. Mostly clear skies remain for tonight and tomorrow. Very strong ridge top winds over and east of the Continental Divide will develop on Tuesday. Computer forecasts continue to show the next system to arrive Tuesday night. Mountain snow is expected to start Tuesday night and last until Wednesday morning. Accumulations look to be in the 2-5" range for the northern and central mountains and lesser amounts for the northern San Juan. Much colder air will follow in on Wednesday. Stronger west-to-east zonal flow will establish itself for the latter part of the week. This will favor periods of orographic snow for the mountains. Timing is difficult at this point - best chances appear to be light snow on Thursday for the north and more widespread mountain snow on Saturday. Weather Monday Night Tuesday Tuesday Night Temperature(°F) 13-18 25-30 -2 to 3 Wind Speed(mph) 10-20 G30 15-25 G50 15-25 G35 Wind Direction WNW W W Sky Cover Mostly Clear Mostly Clear Overcast Snow(in) 0 0 1-3 Snowpack Discussion We have not received any reports of slide activity from the Sawatch zone. But a recent incident from the Loveland Pass area highlights the need to keep your awareness up. Four small slides occurred above Pass Lake (12,300'), just south of Loveland Pass. One slide was initiated when a hiker inadvertently broke loose a piece of wind drift from ridge line. The slide caught a second member of the party and carried him for several feet before self-arresting by grabbing a rock. He was buried up to his waist. Even though everyone in the party of three owned avalanche gear, no one was carrying the gear under the assumption that there was not enough snow to require such precautions. Even during early season, you must practice safe backcountry skills. Choose a safe route. Avoid traveling across avalanche start zones and underneath cornices. Travel one at a time if you must cross such areas, and do not be afraid to turn around and find an alternative route. Always carry avalanche safety gear, including beacon, shovel, and probe, and know how to use the equipment. Westerly winds over the past several days have been strong enough to transport any available snow onto north through east aspects creating isolated pockets of tender slabs above treeline. For the most part, these are the areas one would look for to ride. If you choose to ride, be prepared to test the snow stability on the slope in question before jumping in with a full commitment. The most likely injuries if caught in a slide under our current conditions would be from rocks and other terrain features. Avalanche Danger The avalanche danger is currently rated as LOW. Be cautious near all wind loaded aspects above tree line facing north through east as well as steep gullies. Steamboat ========= Current Keywords: LOW, avalanche danger, beacon, cornices, orographic, probe, shovel, slabs, start zones, wind drift, Mountain Weather and Avalanche Forecast for the Steamboat and Parks Range Zone Forecast Issued on 11/26/2007 3:44:14 PM Forecaster: John Snook Weather Synopsis Clearing skies are moving in from the northwest following this morning's passage of a weak short-wave that dropped 1-2" of snow on some northern and central mountain locations. Mostly clear skies remain for tonight and tomorrow. Very strong ridge top winds over and east of the Continental Divide will develop on Tuesday. Computer forecasts continue to show the next system to arrive Tuesday night. Mountain snow is expected to start Tuesday night and last until Wednesday morning. Accumulations look to be in the 2-5" range for the northern and central mountains and lesser amounts for the northern San Juan. Much colder air will follow in on Wednesday. Stronger west-to-east zonal flow will establish itself for the latter part of the week. This will favor periods of orographic snow for the mountains. Timing is difficult at this point - best chances appear to be light snow on Thursday for the north and more widespread mountain snow on Saturday. Weather Monday Night Tuesday Tuesday Night Temperature(°F) 12-17 25-30 -2 to 3 Wind Speed(mph) 10-20 15-25 G40 15-25 Wind Direction WSW WSW WNW Sky Cover Partly Cloudy Increasing Overcast Snow(in) 0 0 3-5 Snowpack Discussion We have not received any reports of slide activity from the Steamboat zone. But a recent incident from the Loveland Pass area highlights the need to keep your awareness up. Four small slides occurred above Pass Lake (12,300'), just south of Loveland Pass. One slide was initiated when a hiker inadvertently broke loose a piece of wind drift from ridge line. The slide caught a second member of the party and carried him for several feet before self-arresting by grabbing a rock. He was buried up to his waist. Even though everyone in the party of three owned avalanche gear, no one was carrying the gear under the assumption that there was not enough snow to require such precautions. Even during early season, you must practice safe backcountry skills. Choose a safe route. Avoid traveling across avalanche start zones and underneath cornices. Travel one at a time if you must cross such areas, and do not be afraid to turn around and find an alternative route. Always carry avalanche safety gear, including beacon, shovel, and probe, and know how to use the equipment. Light snow fell on the Steamboat zone Monday morning. Westerly winds over the past several days have been strong enough to transport snow onto north through east aspects creating isolated pockets of tender slabs above treeline. For the most part, these are the areas one would look for to ride. If you choose to ride, be prepared to test the snow stability on the slope in question before jumping in with a full commitment. The most likely injuries if caught in a slide under our current conditions would be from rocks and other terrain features. Avalanche Danger The avalanche danger in the Steamboat zone is LOW. Vail ==== Current Keywords: LOW, MODERATE, avalanche danger, beacon, cornices, orographic, probe, shovel, slabs, start zones, wind drift, wind loaded, Mountain Weather and Avalanche Forecast for the Vail and Summit County Zone Forecast Issued on 11/26/2007 3:45:04 PM Forecaster: John Snook Weather Synopsis Clearing skies are moving in from the northwest following this morning's passage of a weak short-wave that dropped 1-2" of snow on some northern and central mountain locations. Mostly clear skies remain for tonight and tomorrow. Very strong ridge top winds over and east of the Continental Divide will develop on Tuesday. Computer forecasts continue to show the next system to arrive Tuesday night. Mountain snow is expected to start Tuesday night and last until Wednesday morning. Accumulations look to be in the 2-5" range for the northern and central mountains and lesser amounts for the northern San Juan. Much colder air will follow in on Wednesday. Stronger west-to-east zonal flow will establish itself for the latter part of the week. This will favor periods of orographic snow for the mountains. Timing is difficult at this point - best chances appear to be light snow on Thursday for the north and more widespread mountain snow on Saturday. Weather Monday Night Tuesday Tuesday Night Temperature(°F) 10-15 22-27 -5 to 0 Wind Speed(mph) 10-20 15-25 G40 15-25 G35 Wind Direction WSW W W Sky Cover Partly Cloudy Mostly Clear Overcast Snow(in) 0 0 2-4 Snowpack Discussion Four small slides on Saturday were reported from above Pass Lake (12,300'), just south of Loveland Pass. One slide was initiated when a hiker inadvertently broke loose a piece of wind drift from ridge line. The slide caught a second member of the party and carried him for several feet before self-arresting by grabbing a rock. He was buried up to his waist. Even though everyone in the party of three owned avalanche gear, no one was carrying the gear under the assumption that there was not enough snow to require such precautions. Even during early season, you must practice safe backcountry skills. Choose a safe route. Avoid traveling across avalanche start zones and underneath cornices. Travel one at a time if you must cross such areas, and do not be afraid to turn around and find an alternative route. Always carry avalanche safety gear, including beacon, shovel, and probe, and know how to use the equipment. Early reports indicate that 1-2" of snow fell across the Vail/Summit zone this morning. Westerly winds over the past several days have been strong enough to transport snow onto north through east aspects creating isolated pockets of tender slabs above treeline. For the most part, these are the areas one would look for to ride. If you choose to ride, be prepared to test the snow stability on the slope in question before jumping in with a full commitment. The most likely injuries if caught in a slide under our current conditions would be from rocks and other terrain features. Avalanche Danger There are pockets of MODERATE avalanche danger on steep north, northeast, and east aspects above treeline where wind loaded soft slabs may exist. Otherwise the avalanche danger is LOW.