Northern Mountains

This is Dale in the Avalanche Center at 4:20pm, Friday, March 21,
2003.
DISCUSSION
A weak upper-level low in SE CO this afternoon is still wrapping
moisture into the mountains. At the same time high pressure is pushing
into Western CO. Skies will gradually clear and winds will be shift to
the NW. On Saturday high pressure will slide across the mountains
bringing dry, warm weather, with increasing NW to W winds. The next
system moves into the Pacific NW and by Sunday increasing winds back
to the WSW and moisture will move into the N mtns. Could see light
snows in the N mtns by late afternoon. The forecast details:
Friday night: Mostly cloudy, scattered evening snow showers, 0-2
inches. Winds N-NW/10-20. Lows 10-20.
Saturday: Partly cloudy, though a few clouds and showers may linger
along the Front Range in the morning. Winds NW/10-20 G30. Highs 27 to
37. Lows 15 to 25.
Sunday: Increasing clouds, chance for light afternoon snow. Winds
W/15-25 G40. Highs 30 to 40.
SNOWPACK
Early reports this morning of new snow were Winter Park, 3.5; A Basin,
6; Keystone, 5; Breckenridge, 8; Vail, 2.5; Aspen, 2; Lake City, 4;
Silverton, 3; Coal Bank, 8; Molas, 6; Purgatory, 4; and Wolf Creek, 3.
N mtns: ... On Thursday afternoon an avalanche on the south and west
side of Loveland Pass was triggered by a group of 4 out-of-area
skiers. One was seriously injured and another died from injuries when
swept through a stand of trees. This was the fifth avalanche death of
the season. An [20]Avalanche Warning remains in effect for the Front
Range area from the Wyoming border to Kenosha Pass. Today we expect
settling and stabilizing in the deep storm snow layer and this will
help in the long term as this thick strong layer will bridge over
deeper weak layers. HOWEVER, any sunshine this afternoon and Saturday
morning will produce avalanches from steep rocky areas. Backcountry
travel is not recommended in the Front Range, at least through
Saturday. 148 avalanches have been reported in 3 days. The backcountry
danger ... Front Range, HIGH ... 10 Mile & Gore Range of Summit
County, CONSIDERABLE near and above treeline, MODERATE below treeline
... Steamboat zone, MODERATE.
Atkins

Central Mountains

This is Dale in the Avalanche Center at 4:30 pm, Friday, March 21,
2003.
DISCUSSION
A weak upper-level low in SE CO this afternoon is still wrapping
moisture into the mountains. At the same time high pressure is pushing
into Western CO. Skies will gradually clear and winds will be shift to
the NW. On Saturday high pressure will slide across the mountains
bringing dry, warm weather, with increasing NW to W winds. The next
system moves into the Pacific NW and by Sunday increasing winds back
to the WSW and moisture will move into the N mtns. Could see light
snows in the N mtns by late afternoon. The forecast details:
Friday night: Becoming partly cloudy. Winds NW/0-10. Lows 12 to 22.
Saturday: Partly cloudy to mostly clear. Winds NW/5-10. Highs 30 to
40. Lows 15 to 25.
Sunday: Partly cloudy. Winds W/5-15. Highs 30 to 40.
SNOWPACK
Early reports this morning of new snow were Winter Park, 3.5; A Basin,
6; Keystone, 5; Breckenridge, 8; Vail, 2.5; Aspen, 2; Lake City, 4;
Silverton, 3; Coal Bank, 8; Molas, 6; Purgatory, 4; and Wolf Creek, 3.
On Thursday afternoon an avalanche on the south and west side of
Loveland Pass was triggered by a group of 4 out-of-area skiers. One
was seriously injured and another died from injuries when swept
through a stand of trees. This was the fifth avalanche death of the
season.
C mtns: ... Sawatch, Aspen, & Grand Mesa zones,MODERATE with areas of
CONSIDERABLE near and above treeline; below treeline, MODERATE. No
recent avalanches have been reported in these areas ... Crested Butte
zone, MODERATE near and above treeline, but trending LOW because of
spring-like conditions, LOW below treeline. Normal backcountry
cautions are adequate.
Atkins

Southern Mountains

This is Dale in the Avalanche Center at 2:35 pm, Friday, March 21,
2003.
DISCUSSION
A weak upper-level low in SE CO this afternoon is still wrapping
moisture into the mountains. At the same time high pressure is pushing
into Western CO. Skies will gradually clear and winds will be shift to
the NW. On Saturday high pressure will slide across the mountains
bringing dry, warm weather, with increasing NW to W winds. The next
system moves into the Pacific NW and by Sunday increasing winds back
to the WSW and moisture will move into the N mtns. Could see light
snows in the N mtns by late afternoon. The forecast details:
Friday night: W San Juans: Evening showers possible on N sides then
becoming partly cloudy. W San Juans: Mostly cloudy, scattered evening
snow showers, T-3 inches. Winds N-NW/10-20. Lows 12 to 22.
Saturday: Mostly clear. Winds W/10-20. Highs 30 to 40. Lows 15 to 25.
Sunday: Sunny early, increasing afternoon clouds. Winds SW/10-20 G30.
Highs 30 to 40.
SNOWPACK
Early reports this morning of new snow were Winter Park, 3.5; A Basin,
6; Keystone, 5; Breckenridge, 8; Vail, 2.5; Aspen, 2; Lake City, 4;
Silverton, 3; Coal Bank, 8; Molas, 6; Purgatory, 4; and Wolf Creek, 3.
On Thursday afternoon an avalanche on the south and west side of
Loveland Pass was triggered by a group of 4 out-of-area skiers. One
was seriously injured and another died from injuries when swept
through a stand of trees. This was the fifth avalanche death of the
season.
S mtns: ... San Juans, MODERATE, with pockets of CONSIDERABLE.
Observers are reporting the new snow in the Silverton area is adhering
well to the old snow. The mild weather conditions will allow the
danger to ease. Locally in the Wolf Creek Pass area, pockets of
CONSIDERABLE lurk on all aspects and elevations. For the last couple
of days several large and deep avalanches have been reported from the
Wolf Creek Pass and Summitville areas. Use extra caution where slope
angles are 35 degrees and steeper. We have no observers in the Sangre
de Cristos but the danger is likely HIGHfrom recent upslope snows.
Atkins