Grand Mesa

An Avalanche Watch is in effect. Very dangerous avalanche conditions will develop on Saturday. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended on Saturday.

You cannot rule out triggering an avalanche that breaks on weak layers buried two to three feet deep. You can trigger these from shallow places on a slope like near rocks and trees. You can stay safer by avoiding travel on large steep slopes.

You can also trigger an avalanche where you find more than 10 inches of new storm snow. The new snow is falling on a variety of slick surfaces like surface hoar on more northerly slopes and melt-freeze crusts on southerly slopes. If you see cracking or hear collapsing in the new snow that is your cue to move to terrain less than about 35 degrees or slopes with less snow. Even small avalanches can knock you off your feet or machine and drag you into trees or gullies. As the storm continues through the weekend you can expect the danger to increase.