Rockies Avalanche Alert: Dangerous Conditions Ahead

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The Colorado Avalanche Information Center has issued a Level 3 (Considerable) avalanche danger alert for the high terrain of Colorado's Rocky Mountains, with over 12 inches of new snow expected above treeline by Wednesday night. Strong winds will create unstable snow conditions, posing a serious risk to backcountry travelers.

Why it matters

Avalanches can be deadly, especially in the Rockies where they are a constant threat during the winter months. This alert warns outdoor enthusiasts to exercise extreme caution when venturing into the backcountry, as the rapidly changing conditions could trigger dangerous and fast-moving snow slides.

The details

The areas west of Denver, including Summit County, Vail Pass, and the Elk Mountains, are expected to see the heaviest snowfall. Blowing snow and poor visibility will make it difficult to identify unstable snow slabs, increasing the risk for backcountry skiers and snowmobilers. Wind-loaded slopes may fail quickly, even under a single person's weight.

• The avalanche danger is expected to reach Level 3 (Considerable) across many mountain zones on Wednesday.
• The most unstable conditions will develop near and above treeline, where strong winds will drift fresh snow onto north through east-facing slopes.
• Additional snowfall into Thursday could further increase instability, with conditions likely to remain dangerous into late week as more weather systems approach.

What’s next

The avalanche danger is expected to remain high through the end of the week as additional snowfall is forecast, so backcountry users should continue to monitor conditions closely before venturing out.