Front Range

You can trigger a dangerous wet slab avalanche as recently wind-drifted snow becomes moist or wet. It will slide off the old snow surface a foot or two deep. You are most likely to trigger these avalanches on slopes that face northeast through east to south, and below steep ridgelines or on the sides of gullies. Take extra care if you plan on traveling in extremely steep terrain. A small avalanche can have severe consequences if you get pushed off a cliff or into a terrain trap.

You can also trigger a loose avalanche in wet snow. The slides could gouge to the ground on steep, sunny slopes near and below the treeline. Avoid traveling across these slopes when the snow is wet later in the day. Beware of trapdoor conditions where you fall through the snowpack onto the ground at the lowest elevations. The easiest way to avoid these problems is to start and end your day early. The snow can rapidly change from supportable to soggy and dangerous.