Front Range
===========

Keywords:  CONSIDERABLE, MODERATE, avalanche danger, cross-loaded, high pressure, 
           lee , slab, whumpfing, wind load, wind slabs, wind-loaded,    

Weather Synopsis

   Northwest flow has pushed an area of moisture into the state this
   morning. Snow showers will continue this afternoon, some of which
   could become briefly heavy with gusty winds. Strong winds toady are
   building wind slabs on lee slopes. Winds will shift to north-northeast
   tonight, which will start to wind load southerly aspects. Clouds will
   clear after sunset for the central and southern mountains. But another
   of band of cloudiness will swing across the northern mountains
   tonight, with some light snow not to exceed an inch. North to
   northeast flow will keep temperatures cool tomorrow despite more
   abundant sunshine. Warmer temperatures return for Sunday and Monday as
   the high pressure ridge takes hold over the state. High pressure
   persists into mid-week with the next chance for snow holding off until
   Thursday.
   
Weather

   Issued at: 3/2/2007 3:27 PM by John Snook
     Tonight
   Forecast Tomorrow
   Forecast Tomorrow Night
   Forecast 
   Temperature(°F) -5 to 0 13-18 5-10
   Wind Speed(mph) 15-25 G35 15-25 15-25
   Wind Direction NW WNW NW
   Sky Cover Decreasing Mostly Clear Partly Cloudy
   Snow(in) 0-1 0 0
   
Snowpack Discussion

   New snowfall has been accumulating during the past week on the Front
   Range zone primarily west of and over the Continental Divide. Amounts
   for the week include just over 30" around Berthoud Pass and an
   observer reported just under 30" at Dream Lake (1 mile west of Bear
   Lake) in RMNP. New snow drops off quickly moving east away from the
   Continental Divide. Winds subsided for a couple of days, but they have
   strengthened during the past 24 hours from the west-northwest.
   Avalanche mitigation work around Berthoud Pass released one soft slab
   within the new snow. The observer in RMNP noted that the recent winds
   have transported considerable amounts of snow onto lee and
   cross-loaded aspects creating significant wind slabs. We are raising
   the avalanche danger to CONSIDERABLE on lee aspects (N-E-S) near and
   above treeline and to MODERATE with pockets of CONSIDERABLE on these
   same aspects below treeline. Human triggered avalanches are probable
   in these areas. New snow, clear skies for the first time in a week,
   and an upcoming weekend will beckon many backcountry users. Do not let
   this combination fool you into ignoring signs of instability, such as
   cracking, whumpfing, or recent slide activity. Stay away from steep,
   wind-loaded slopes that exhibit these characteristics.

Avalanche Danger

   The avalanche danger in the Front Range zone is CONSIDERABLE on
   N-NE-E-SE-S aspects near and above treeline, MODERATE with pockets of
   CONSIDERABLE below treeline on N-NE-E-SE-S aspects. Elsewhere, the
   danger is MODERATE.