Persistent Slabs
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Likely
- Size
- 1–2
An Avalanche Watch is in effect for the Rocky Mountain National Park area and the Indian Peaks Tuesday evening through Wednesday. Heavy snow and strong winds will result in large natural avalanches and avalanches very easy for backcountry travelrs to trigger. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended during this period.
Storm snow will form slabs over the weak, faceted snow already on the ground. You could trigger avalanches from below, the sides, or a distance away. Avalanches will increase in size through the storm. Weak snow is most common on northerly to easterly slopes above treeline, but some old snow may remain in other areas. Winds will be drifting the storm snow, too. You could trigger small avalanches in just drifted snow above treeline on slopes with little previous snow.