Avalanche forecast

Gunnison

Colorado Avalanche Information Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago.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

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3
  • Wind Slabs

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

Avalanche Summary

The most dangerous conditions are on easterly slopes below ridgetop where you can trigger the largest and widest avalanches. Westerly winds drifted recently-fallen snow and will continue to do so on Wednesday. An avalanche can break on slick old snow surface, or break deeper into buried weak layers in the upper snowpack. An avalanche in motion may gouge into buried weak layers, growing dramatically in size and power.

You still might trigger a slide on deeper buried weak layers that are three to four feet down even in wind-sheltered areas. If you were to get caught in one of these avalanches it would likely be unsurvivable. Safer travel options always exist by sticking to slopes less than about 30 degrees without steep slopes above you.

Regions covered