Avalanche forecast

Grand Mesa

Colorado Avalanche Information Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Avalanche problems

  • Wet Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2
  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2
  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

Avalanche Summary

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist near and below the treeline. You can trigger a large and dangerous avalanche on most sunny slopes, especially those where the snow surface appears brown and dirty. The danger will increase throughout the day and you may even see some avalanches release naturally in the afternoon into the evening. You can also trigger a smaller loose avalanche on all aspects including shady ones at lower elevations as the temperature increases throughout the day. While these loose avalanches are smaller they can easily knock you off your feet, take you for a dangerous ride, and even step down into deeper weak snow triggering a much larger and more destructive avalanche. If you plan on traveling in the backcountry on Tuesday start early, end early, and avoid traveling on or underneath steep slopes where the snow surface appears brown and dirty.

Avoid traveling near or under cornices as observers noticed multiple cornices as big as houses that fell and triggered avalanches on the slopes below them in the past several days.

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