DENVER (KDVR) — A snowstorm will sweep the area in a single day Monday, and the Colorado Avalanche Data Middle is warning that for some areas, meaning a bounce in avalanche hazard from low to excessive in a single day.
The storm impacts are anticipated to start out within the Denver metro with rain Monday afternoon and change to snow in a single day. The CAIC mentioned the storm will deliver “speedy change to snow and avalanche circumstances throughout Colorado, requiring a mindset shift for backcountry vacationers.”
That is as a result of after virtually every week of spring-like climate, winter is returning to Colorado because it begins its snowiest month on report. The company mentioned Monday’s in a single day snowstorm is the primary of a collection of storms anticipated all through the subsequent week, and mentioned the mountains will endure dramatic change in a comparatively quick time.
Accompanying the storms are robust winds, in response to the CAIC. FOX31’s Pinpoint Climate Group Meteorologist Liz McGiffin is forecasting breezes within the metro of about 20 to 30 mph, however most wind gusts from Monday into Wednesday morning may have wind gusts in parts of the mountains close to Breckenridge and Purple Feather Lakes reaching 70 and 50 mph, respectively.
The CAIC mentioned the largest swing in avalanche hazard can be seen in Colorado’s northern mountains. Areas like Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park and Summit County are anticipated to swing from a low avalanche hazard (stage 1 of 5) to excessive hazard (4 out of 5) in a single day Monday into Tuesday.
“Most fashions present an space of notably heavy snow round Cameron Move and Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park with totals close to 18 inches,” the CAIC mentioned in its forecast dialogue.
The group mentioned that different parts of the state will see avalanche hazard rising to stage 3 of 5 because of the first spherical of snow.
Due to the speedy rise in peril, an Avalanche Watch is in impact for the Entrance Vary and Summit County from Monday at 4:30 p.m. via Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. The group isn’t recommending journey in avalanche terrain throughout this time.
Thus far in the course of the 2024-2025 winter recreation season, the CAIC has recorded three lethal avalanche incidents.
