Central Mountains

 This is Nick in the Colorado Avalanche Information Center at 4:20 pm,
 Thursday, March 31, 2005.
 DISCUSSION

 The closed low just SE of CO is slowly pulling away. Thus, we'll see a
 gradual drying trend from the W to E into this evening. A high
 amplitude ridge will migrate over CO Friday and Saturday bringing
 clear skies and mild weather. The lower elevations and valleys could
 be pretty warm. The next storm system will move into the Pacific NW
 Saturday. The ridge will force that storm N of us, but the N&C mtns
 could see some clouds Saturday into Sunday. The forecast details:
 
 Thur night: Partly cloudy, isolated showers possible early. Winds
 NNE/5-15 few G20 possible above TL. Lows 5-15.
 Friday: Clear skies. Winds NW/5-15 some G20 possible above TL. Highs
 23-33. Lows 8-18.
 Saturday: Sunny. Winds WSW/5-15 few G20 possible above TL. Highs
 26-36.
 SNOWPACK

 Surprisingly, few avalanches have been reported today. CDOT control
 work on Grand Mesa produced surface only sloughing due to no weak
 layer (anticipated). Control work on Loveland Pass got 6 slides to
 run, one broke quite deep and covered the road with 10' of debris.

 Only a couple of slides were reported from Telluride ski area.

 Telluride Helitrax flew in their area and got two slides with control
 work on the Ophir valley. One fractured about 6' deep and ran some
 800' vertical on a NNE aspect. With the amount of recent snow and
 winds (T-ride got 20.5" for the storm) they said they saw surprisingly
 little natural avalanche activity while flying around. Avalanche
 control work was also done on Red Mtn Pass but data from there has yet
 to come in. Some 30" of snow was reported from backcountry skiers in
 Yankee Boy Basin, SW of Ouray, with several natural avalanches they
 spotted and heard in that area yesterday afternoon. There were only a
 handful of small slides with control work at Snowmass yesterday. It's
 still possible for an avalanche to break down into weak, deeper
 layers, especially if a shallow slab is released and steps down.

 Backcountry travelers should use extra caution on any drifted terrain
 at this time that is 35 degrees or steeper. If you like to take risks
 and are going to challenge the steeper slopes make sure you are with
 avalanche-rescue-qualified people, that everyone is carrying the
 proper equipment, and that only one person is exposed on the slope at
 a time. Don't just ask yourself "could this slope slide" but also
 "where will it take me if it does slide." Severe injuries can be
 sustained if you are carried into rocks or trees. And even a small
 avalanche can bury you deeply if you are carried into a gulley.

 With recent new snow, and much warmer temperatures in the next 48
 hours, the danger for wet snow avalanches will be on the increase.

 Areas below TL, and sunny aspects near and above TL around rock
 outcrops will be the biggest concern.

 The backcountry avalanche danger is currently rated:
 C mtns: Near and above treeline the danger is CONSIDERABLE on slopes
 facing N-E-SW where recent drifting has occurred. On other aspects the
 danger is MODERATE on steep, recently drifted areas. Below treeline
 the danger is MODERATE, but with pockets of CONSIDERABLE developing in
 the afternoon on sunny aspects.

 NLogan