Colorado Avalanche Information Center

Public Forecast of Weather and Backcountry Avalanche Conditions

This is Scott at the CAIC with current information on mountain
weather, snow, and avalanche conditions recorded at 7 am on Wednesday,
April 1, 1998.

SYNOPSIS

High elevation cloud shield in association with the next storm system
is currently passing over all of the Colorado Mtns this morning. Last
nite, with this incoming storm, Mt Wilson, West of LA had 9" of new
snow, at 5400 Feet, 1" of snow on the grass in Glendale, LA suburb.
There is Very cold air aloft with this next system, so it has the
potential for a lot of instability, ie convective spring snow.
Initially it will favor the S mtns, then, as the low center travels
East, the rest of the mountains will see snow, but to a lesser degree,
during the day Thursday. This has the potential for another
significant storm for the S mtns. The forecast details:

WEATHER

Wednesday: All mtns ... clear morning, with high thin cirrus becoming
more pronounced, thicker clouds and a few showers in the S mtns.
Winds, SW/10-20. Highs 25-35.

Wednesday night: N&C mtns ... mostly cloudy, snowshowers especially C
mtns. S mtns ... cloudy, snow, 4-8" possible by Thursday morning.
Winds S/15-20. Lows 8-18.

Thursday: Cloudy, snow all mtns, 2-4" with locally higher amounts with
afternoon instability. Winds Veer West 5-15, gusts 20s N mtns, C&S
mtns 10-20, gusts 40s. Temps cold 12-22.

Thursday Nite: Cloudy, lite snow, 2-4" all mtns, but 0-2" S side San
Juans. Winds Veer NW & decrease, 5-15, gusts 20s. Temps 8-18.

SNOWPACK

The BC avalanche danger: In the N&C Mtns, LOW-MODERATE below TL,
MODERATE near & above TL, with pockets of CONSIDERABLE especially in
the Gore Range where snowfall was heaviest. In the S mtns,
LOW-MODERATE below TL and CONSIDERABLE near and aboveTL. Just returned
from a Castle Peak circumnavigation in the Elk mountains. West Aspects
off Star Peak ridge had 1/3 of the snow pack as large TG crystals with
a 2" over lying crust and 1 foot slab on that. Cracks propagated
easily, & to the ground on steep pitches, over 35deg. Very windy on
all ridges with slab developing over the last four days of March.
Teocalli Peak to Twin Lakes drainage on 30th, saw 4 shallow Soft
Slabs, Natural, on East aspects, Max vertical about 800 Feet. Large
settlement ocurring in the flats if we grouped up in one spot. After
an over nite wind and 4-5" snow event on the 30th, 3 small shallow
Soft Slabs, Naturals on West aspect under cliff bands of Castle Peak.
Had been a significant Wet cycle, now passed, in the area, at last
warm period. Many of the paths cleared out, but still quite a bit of
snow left for next warm-up period. Some pretty good sized events in
San Juans the last few days, One house destroyed up Highway 110,
Velocity Basin outside Silverton. Under lying TG snow remains a
concern. Travel safe.



The snow conditions weve reported are based on observations and field
data. Use this information for guidance only. You may find different
conditions in the backcountry and should travel accordingly.

... Toepfer