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Avalanche danger expected to increase Monday |
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Sunday, January 15, 2012 13:08 |
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The Colorado Avalance Information Center has issued a warning of increased avalanche danger with the approaching storm, which already has blanketed the Pacific Northwest with snow.
The bulletin covers the Park Range and Flat Top Mountains, the central mountain ranges between Gunnison, Aspen and Vail Pass, the Grand Mesa and the San Juan Mountains.
The heaviest snow accumulations are expected on slopes favored by a southwest flow, including the San Juans south of Red Mountain Pass, the Grand Mesa, the Elk and West Elk ranges, and the Flat Top Mountains, says the CAIC.
The fast-moving storm, accompanied by moderate winds, is expected to dump on a snowpack that is weak in many areas.
Colder temperatures forecast for Monday afternoon will contribute to the creation of brittle wind slabs, according to the CAIC bulletin.
The avalanche danger is expected to increase dramatically in areas that receive more than 6 inches of snow.
Forecasters urge backcountry skiers, boarders, snowshoers and snowmobilers to stay alert to rapidly changing conditions and stay away from slopes steeper than 30 degrees where you find signs of instability such as collapsing snow, cracking and recent slide activity.
For additional info, visit the CAIC website or call 520-0020 in the Springs.
Phone numbers for other areas:
Fort Collins: 970-482-0457
Summit County: 970-668-0600
Buena Vista: 719-395-4994
Durango: 970-247-8187
Aspen: 970-920-1664
Denver: 303-275-5360
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