GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) — A weekend storm that brought 1 to 2 feet of snow to the Colorado mountains has increased avalanche danger across the state’s western regions.
According to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) forecast, the Grand Mesa is currently in moderate avalanche danger as of Monday. Further east toward Aspen, the danger level has increased to considerable.
Brian Lazar, deputy director of CAIC, said the ratings are based on a five-point system ranging from low to extreme.
He said the avalanche danger levels are driven by drought and storm cycles. Danger will increase during storms and generally ease out within a few days to a few weeks.
“Because we’ve got some pretty dry weather with no significant storms on the horizon through the end of January, you can expect avalanche conditions to slowly ease,” Lazar said. “Those areas of considerable avalanche danger eventually will become moderate and we’ll see more green or low avalanche danger, indicating generally safe avalanche conditions appear on the map.”
Lazar said that while last weekend’s storm brought much-needed snow to Colorado, the season’s snowpack levels are still lower than normal.
Lazar recommended all backcountry users to follow three key pillars prior to heading to the mountains:
1) Check CAIC’s avalanche forecast
2) Carry the minimum essential rescue gear: avalanche transceiver, shovel, and avalanche probe
3) Take a backcountry recreation avalanche class
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