By Theresa Graven
The Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) is warning backcountry travelers that a major winter storm arriving today, Tuesday, February 17, is expected to bring the season’s most widespread dangerous avalanche conditions to Colorado’s mountains. Avalanche danger is expected to increase through the week, with some areas forecast to reach HIGH (Level 4 of 5) avalanche danger as early as Tuesday afternoon, including parts of the Northern Mountains (Park Range), Central Mountains (Elk and West Elk mountains), and Southern Mountains (San Juan Mountains).
CAIC expects the storm to produce the largest and most destructive avalanches of the season. These avalanches will be large enough to seriously injure or kill a person.
Backcountry travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended in areas rated HIGH from Tuesday afternoon through Friday, when natural avalanches will be likely and human-triggered avalanches will be very likely. CAIC urges backcountry travelers to avoid avalanche terrain and avalanche runout zones during periods of HIGH danger.
This week’s avalanche danger is being driven by heavy snowfall and strong southwest winds gusting up to 70 mph, which will create widespread blowing and drifting snow. Wind-drifted snow will rapidly load an already weak snowpack, increasing the likelihood of large and destructive avalanches.
Periods of heavy snowfall are expected Tuesday, starting in the West Elk and San Juan Mountains. Another round of heavier snowfall is expected Wednesday afternoon into Thursday, followed by continued snowy, windy weather through Friday.
The CAIC strongly advises all backcountry travelers to check the avalanche forecast regularly and adjust their plans accordingly. Always carry avalanche rescue gear and avoid avalanche-prone terrain during periods of heightened danger. For the latest avalanche conditions, visit Colorado.gov/avalanche.
Theresa Graven is CAIC Public Information Officer.