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

Current Keywords:  

LOW, MODERATE, avalanche danger, cross-loaded, entrained, low pressure, 
orographic, precipitation. , wind drifted, wind slabs, 

   Mountain Weather and Avalanche Forecast for the Front Range Zone
               Forecast Issued on 12/1/2007 2:42:41 PM
                       Forecaster: Ann Mellick

   Weather Synopsis

   Happy December! The plume of subtropical moisture continues to track
   eastward. However the low pressure system has entrained moisture from
   the California coast and is pumping it northeast through Colorado. Jet
   support and cold air advection are helping to boost orographic
   snowfall.. Snow levels will drop though the remainder of the day with
   cooling temperatures. Imbedded ripples in the strong southwest flow
   will create pulses of heavy precipitation. Strong winds will continue
   through tomorrow in high country. The flow aloft will turn westerly
   tonight with some lingering snow showers early tomorrow morning.
   Skies will clear through the day Sunday as a drier airmass moves in.
   An upper ridge builds into the region on Monday bringing a return to
   mild conditions.

   Weather

                   Saturday Night	Sunday 	Sunday Night
   Temperature(°F)     13-18       12-17        13-18
   Wind Speed(mph)  15-25 G/40   20-30 G/60     20-30
   Wind Direction        W           W            W
   Sky Cover       Mostly Cloudy Decreasing Partly Cloudy
   Snow(in)             2-5         0-1           0
   
Snowpack Discussion

   So far the Front Range zone has been "spared" the snow and wind that
   has slammed the southern and central mountains. Storm totals still
   linger in the 3-6" range throughout the zone. The winds have been
   blowing from the south in the 10-20 mph range with some gusts into
   the 40's and 50's. This event has not increased the load on our tender
   snowpack too much, but the areas that were snow covered last weekend
   remain suspect. Many small terrain features, such as subridges and
   gullies, have been cross-loaded by the winds and will be sensitive
   today. Skiers near Loveland Pass and 10-Mile Range (in the next zone
   west) triggered several small avalanches up to 2' deep over the last
   few day. These conditions are not widespread, but are common where
   wind slabs are resting on the weak faced snow that formed before the
   last storm. The old snow is now covered in many areas. Approach steep
   slopes in near and above treeline areas with caution and use your safe
   travel skills, like crossing one at a time and spotting your partner.
   
Avalanche Danger

   The avalanche danger is MODERATE on steep, wind drifted slopes that
   face northwest, north, northeast, east, and southeast and are near and
   above treeline. Unfortunately, these are the same areas that look like
   they offer the best conditions. On less steep slopes and below
   treeline the avalanche danger is LOW.