Backcountry Avalanche Forecast for Front Range Issued: 12/05/2010 5:46 AM by John Snook Highlights Mild temperatures and a little light snow have done little to change the avalanche danger. Wind slabs on easterly aspects and a few persistent buried weak layers are concerns to be on the lookout for. The snowpack is quite variable in depth. Shallowly buried obstacles are the other hazards to watch out for. Twitter 05/12/2010 7:51 PM by Ethan Greene: 1 skier killed on the Eside of Mt. Trelease, Front Range zone. Our thoughts are with friends and family. Avalanche Danger The avalanche danger for the Front Range zone is MODERATE (Level 2) on all slopes near and above treeline. Triggered avalanches are possible on recently developed wind slabs, especially on northeast, east, and southeast aspects near treeline. Below treeline the danger is LOW (Level 1). The avalanche danger for the Front Range zone is MODERATE (Level 2) on all slopes near and above treeline. Triggered avalanches are possible on recently developed wind slabs, especially on northeast, east, and southeast aspects near treeline. Below treeline the danger is LOW (Level 1). Snow & Avalanche Discussion Temperatures remain on the mild side. A little light snow added up to an inch over portions of the zone. Persistent west-northwest winds likely moved this snow into shallow drifts on exposed lee aspects. The recent weather has done little to change the avalanche danger. Stiff windslabs near treeline on north through southeast aspects are the primary concern. Above treeline, the snow has largely scoured off, and slab formation is isolated to cross-loaded gullies and around terrain features. The heaviest loading occurred down toward treeline where the slabs will be most reactive. Be cautious and observant when you move through the treeline transition. The concern of buried weak layers is easing with the recent mild weather, but weak layers that formed back in October and early November still exist in many locations on northerly and easterly aspects. While unlikely, you can still trigger these deep slabs on isolated terrain features steeper than 35 degrees on north through southeast aspects near and just above treeline. You are most likely to find these conditions in cross load gullies and below ridgetops and breaks in the terrain. Below treeline, the primary concern remains the thin and weak snowpack that may barely conceal shallowly buried obstacles. You will find crusty snow this morning that will soften into a sticky, gloppy mess by early afternoon. Roller balls, small isolated wet slabs, and frustrating travel conditions are all possible. Temperatures remain on the mild side. A little light snow added up to an inch over portions of the zone. Persistent west-northwest winds likely moved this snow into shallow drifts on exposed lee aspects. The recent weather has done little to change the avalanche danger. Stiff windslabs near treeline on north through southeast aspects are the primary concern. Above treeline, the snow has largely scoured off, and slab formation is isolated to cross-loaded gullies and around terrain features. The heaviest loading occurred down toward treeline where the slabs will be most reactive. Be cautious and observant when you move through the treeline transition. The concern of buried weak layers is easing with the recent mild weather, but weak layers that formed back in October and early November still exist in many locations on northerly and easterly aspects. While unlikely, you can still trigger these deep slabs on isolated terrain features steeper than 35 degrees on north through southeast aspects near and just above treeline. You are most likely to find these conditions in cross load gullies and below ridgetops and breaks in the terrain.

Below treeline, the primary concern remains the thin and weak snowpack that may barely conceal shallowly buried obstacles. You will find crusty snow this morning that will soften into a sticky, gloppy mess by early afternoon. Roller balls, small isolated wet slabs, and frustrating travel conditions are all possible. Weather Discussion for 11,000ft Issued: 12/05/2010 1:04 PM by John Snook A stubborn ridge of high pressure persists over eastern Utah. Expect mild temperatures and partly cloudy skies Sunday night. A West Coast low pressure trough tries to break through the ridge starting Monday afternoon. Light snowfall starts late Monday afternoon and continues into Tuesday morning. Light to moderate snowfall accumulations are possible favoring the Northern and Central Mountains. Winds shift to northerly on Tuesday ushering in somewhat cooler weather. West-northwest flow returns for the remainder of the week. Generally cloudy weather with unimpressive periods of light snow are possible.