Colorado Avalanche Information Center Bulletin

This is Knox at the CAIC with current information on mountain weather,
snow, and avalanche conditions as of 7 am, Wednesday, November 28,
2001.

DISCUSSION  

A weak ridge of high pressure over Colorado has brought dry and cold
conditions to the mountains, thankfully with light winds. The next
system will push high clouds into W Colorado tonight, and will bring
light snow to all mountains on Thursday, along with increased winds.
By Friday this system will bring continued snowfall to all mountains.
The forecast details:

Northern Mountains

Wednesday: Clear to partly cloudy. Increasing afternoon winds,
W/10-20. Highs 9-19. Increasing high clouds tonight with lows -2 to
+8.

Thursday: Cloudy, light snow, 1-3" possible. Winds W/15-20 with gusts
in the 30s abv TL. Highs 15-25. Lows 5-15.

Friday: Cloudy, snow, 2-5" possible. Winds WSW/10-20. Highs teens.

Central Mountains

Wednesday: Clear to partly cloudy. Winds light, W/5-10. Highs 9-19.
Increasing high clouds tonight with lows -2 to +8.

Thursday: Cloudy, light snow, 1-3" possible. Winds WSW/15-20 with
gusts in the 30s abv TL. Highs 15-25. Lows 5-15.

Friday: Cloudy, snow, 2-5" possible. Winds WSW/10-20. Highs teens.

Southern Mountains

Wednesday: Clear. Winds light, WSW/5-10. Highs 9-19. Increasing high
clouds tonight with lows -2 to +8.

Thursday: Cloudy, light snow, 1-3" possible. Winds WSW/15-20 with
gusts in the 30s abv TL. Highs 15-25. Lows 5-15.

Friday: Cloudy, snow, 2-5" possible. Winds WSW/10-20. Highs teens.

SNOWPACK

Storm totals from Nov 23-28 were ... Vail 52", Beaver Creek 34",
Winter Park 20", Breckenridge 19", McClure 24", Gothic 31", and Red
Mtn Pass 44". 160 avalanches were reported during this storm, coming
from all mtn areas. Yesterday there were still reports of widespread
collapsing and cracking snow, coming from Cameron Pass west of Ft
Collins, from Eldora, from Summit County near Francies Cabin, and from
the W San Juans. The cycle of natural releases has ended, but
triggered releases from backcountry skiing, snowboarding or
snowmobiling are still probable on slopes 30 degrees and steeper,
especially on NW-E aspects near and above TL.

The backcountry avalanche danger for all mountains: near and above
tree line on NW-NE-SE aspects ... CONSIDERABLE; on S-W aspects and on
all aspects below tree line ... MODERATE. Extra caution is still
needed for all backcountry travel where slope angles are 30 degrees or
steeper, or where steeper slopes lie above you.

Williams