Colorado Avalanche Bulletins

This bulletin is from the CAIC, which is an agency of the State of Colorado.

Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) Advisory

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Issued 03/20/2010 8:32 AM by John Snook

Highlights

Automated weather stations indicate 6-12" of new snow for the Range.

Steep slopes with fresh wind slab are the areas of greatest concern.

Choose your terrain carefully by avoiding terrain traps and slopes where you could get pushed into trees or over cliffs.

6-12" of new snow. Steep slopes with fresh wind slab are the areas of greatest concern.

We do not have enough information to rate the avalanche danger in the Sangre de Cristo Range.

Snow & Avalanche Discussion

Automated Snotel weather stations indicate 6-12" of new snow accumulated across the zone on Friday. Winds likely blew strong at times from the northeast. Temperatures cooled significantly during the past 24 hours. The primary concern for Saturday will be triggered slides within the new storm snow and recently developed wind slab. The snow came in warm, which is generally good for bonding of the new snow to the old snow surface. You need to manage your terrain based on local conditions. Steep slopes with fresh snow are locations to maintain your awareness. Triggered slides are possible in these areas. Cracking and especially cracks that propagate are instability signs to watch for.

For the most part, any triggered slides will not step down into the older snowpack, but choose your terrain carefully. Avoid terrain traps where even small slides could accumulate into larger debris piles.

Also, avoid areas where a small slide could carry you into trees, rocks, or over cliffs.

Weather Discussion

A trough of low pressure is moving southeast out of Colorado this morning. Associated moisture was stubborn to leave some mountain locations, such as the Northern San Juans, but any remaining clouds will dissipate by mid-morning. Sunny skies will give way to scattered afternoon clouds. Northerly flow will keep temperatures seasonably cool. Clear skies tonight contribute to a cold start on Sunday. High pressure approaching from the west and mostly sunny skies allow temperatures to rebound nicely with high temperatures about 15 degrees warmer. Winds back to westerly on Monday, temperatures remain mild, and afternoon clouds increase in advance of the next storm system.

Unsettled weather is likely for Tuesday and Wednesday with more mountain snow.

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