The Colorado Avalanche Information Center issued an Avalanche Warning at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, December 5, for parts of the Northern Mountains ahead of a powerful winter storm expected to impact Colorado this weekend. Backcountry travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended in these areas from Friday night through Saturday.
Over the past week, 139 avalanches have been reported across Colorado, indicating that some slopes are already dangerous. New snow and strong winds will rapidly create wind-drifted slabs on steep slopes, creating very dangerous avalanche conditions over a wider area.
- WHAT: Avalanche Warning in effect for Park Range and Gore Range
- WHEN: Issued Friday, Dec. 5 at 4:30 p.m. Very dangerous avalanche conditions are expected Friday night and continuing through Saturday.
- WHERE:
- Park Range – Steamboat / Buffalo Pass area
- Gore Range – Vail Pass / Summit County northward
An Avalanche Warning indicates extremely hazardous conditions, with HIGH or EXTREME avalanche danger in at least two elevation bands. Large natural avalanches are happening or expected, and human-triggered avalanches are very likely. Avoid avalanche terrain. Stay off and out from under steep slopes and avalanche paths, and give runouts a wide berth.
