Front Range

Even though avalanche conditions are generally safe this morning, there are still places where you can trigger a small avalanche, and those chances increase as the day warms. At upper elevations, you can find isolated areas of drifted snow on slopes that face northeast through east to southwest. You are most likely to trigger an avalanche in drifted snow below steep ridgelines and on the sides of gullies. Take extra care if you plan on traveling in extreme terrain, like on hanging snowfields or in steep couloirs. A small avalanche can have serious consequences if you get pushed off a cliff or into a terrain trap.

With warm and sunny weather ahead of us, the snow surface will become wet in the afternoons. Wet snow can shed off steep, sunny slopes, especially near rocks and cliffs. Avoid traveling below these areas 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.