Central Mountains

 This is Nick in the Avalanche Center at 4:15 pm, Sunday, January 9, 2005.
 
DISCUSSION

 Even though there is plenty of moisture around, the warm air moving in
 is limiting potential snowfall amounts. The weather models vary in the
 moisture patterns but agree that the CO mtns will see unsettled
 weather through Wednesday. The next storm system, currently developing
 offshore in the Pacific NW, should move over us Tuesday night and
 Wednesday as an open trough. This pattern hasn't happened for a while
 and would give the N mtns a better shot for snow mid week. We'll see.

 Look for little change in temperatures until Tuesday. Winds may
 decrease Monday but not significantly. The forecast details:
 
 Sun night: Snow showers, 1-3", but 3-6" possible in the Grand Mesa zone. Winds SW/5-15 G30. Lows 17-27.
 Monday: Showers, T-2", but up to 5" possible in the Grand Mesa zone. Winds SW/5-15 G20s. Highs 22-32.
 Mon night: Showers to light snow, 1-3", possibly up to 6" in the Grand Mesa zone. Winds WSW/10-20 G30. Lows 15-25.
 Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, snow showers, 2-4" possible but 0-1" at Monarch Pass. Winds SW/5-15 G20s. Highs 19-29.
 
SNOWPACK

 This morning I expanded the Avalanche Warning (which began yesterday
 for the S mtns) into the Elk and West Elk Mtns surrounding Crested
 Butte, and in the Steamboat zone north of a line from Kremmling to
 Craig. Visibility has been very poor to see far into the backcountry
 at many sites but reported slides today include 25 events in the N
 mtns (most with control work); 4 slides in the C mtns including one
 yesterday at Snowmass with a 6-foot-deep crown; and 25 slides in the S
 mtns, including one that reached the valley and proceeded up the
 opposite side near Telluride. Light snow accumulations will continue
 for several days, and there will be more blowing snow above TL at many
 sites. The backcountry avalanche danger is rated HIGH in Warning
 areas.

 In the C mtns outside of the warning area mentioned above for the
 Crested Butte zone, the danger is rated CONSIDERABLE, but areas of
 HIGH danger exist on slopes facing NW-N-NE aspects and on
 cross-drifted slopes and gullies 30 degrees and steeper.

 Backcountry travelers in the warning area must use extra caution and
 avoid slopes steeper than 25 degrees, including cutting under steep
 slopes above you. Elsewhere extra caution is needed on slopes 30
 degrees and steeper at this time. North through east aspects, and
 cross-drifted slopes and gullies are especially prone to avalanching.

 Plan your routes carefully.

 NLogan