Front Range

Six to ten inches of snow and westerly winds strong enough to drift snow increase your chances of triggering an avalanche on steep slopes at upper elevations. Avoid traveling on slopes steeper than 35 degrees where you observe more than around 8 inches of new or drifted snow on a firm refrozen surface. Drifted areas often look smooth or pillow-like and will likely increase with depth, the higher you travel in elevation. Expect to find the deepest snow drifts below ridges, and in cross-loaded couloirs and gullies.

When the sun pops, expect a fast transition to wet snow and the chance of a minor shed cycle. Avoid traveling on or under steep, rocky, sunny slopes that show signs of warming in the form of rollerballs, pinwheels, or small point-release avalanches.