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  Backcountry Avalanche Forecast for Front Range Printer Friendly
Issued 11/20/2009 8:40 AM by Ethan Greene
Highlights

Welcome to the 2009-2010 season! Today is November 20th and we are starting daily backcountry forecasts. There's still not much snow out there, but there are recreation opportunities if you choose carefully. We have some changes to our website and there will be a few more appearing over the next few weeks.

You can find weather forecasts in the morning and afternoon here.

Avalanche forecasts will come out each morning. As new information comes in we'll update them during the day and on Twitter. Find out how to follow the tweets here.

You can find avalanche classes, CAIC events, and Friends of the CAIC events on our Calendar. Many of the schools are still filling in their winter schedules so look for more information next week.

<p>Welcome to the 2009-2010 season! Today is November 20th and we are starting daily backcountry forecasts. There's still not much snow out there, but there are recreation opportunities if you choose carefully. We have some changes to our website and there will be a few more appearing over the next few weeks.</p> <p>You can find weather forecasts in the morning and afternoon <a href="../pub_bc_wx.php">here</a>.</p> <p>Avalanche forecasts will come out each morning. As new information comes in we'll update them during the day and on Twitter. Find out how to follow the tweets <a href="../pub/follow.php">here</a>.</p> <p>You can find avalanche classes, CAIC events, and Friends of the CAIC events on our <a href="../pub/all_cals.php">Calendar</a>. Many of the schools are still filling in their winter schedules so look for more information next week.</p>  
Tweeted - 3:13 PM by Ethan Greene:  Clouds moving into NW Colorado ahead of the next system. Little to no snow expected. Avi Danger MOD on steep, shady, above treeline slopes.
Avalanche Danger

The avalanche danger for the Front Range zone is MODERATE on slopes that face northwest, north, and northeast that are above treeline. Otherwise the avalanche danger is generally Low.

If you have been in the backountry, please send us an observation and let us know what you saw.

<p>The avalanche danger for the Front Range zone is&nbsp;MODERATE on slopes that face northwest, north, and northeast that are above treeline. Otherwise the avalanche danger is generally Low.</p> <p>If you have been in the backountry, <a title="Observation form" href="../pub/contact.php?subject=Backcountry+Observation" target="_blank">please send us an observation and let us know what you saw.<br /></a></p>
Avalanche Danger Scale
Snow & Avalanche Discussion

Mild fall weather continues in the Front Range zone. Many of the upper-elevation areas have been snowcovered for over a month. Reports from the backcountry describe a mix of loose facets or hard wind slabs in the upper snowpack covering weak facets over an ice layer near the bottom. Just to make things more interesting, you might find a layer of surface hoar under the upper slab.

Although this is not a great setup if you want a stable snowpack, we haven't had a big loading event in over a week. This means that you are unlikely to trigger an avalanche unless you are on a very steep slope with hard snow in the upper portion of the snowpack. Safe backcountry travel is possible in many areas, but you'll need to evaluate steep upper-elevation slopes before you commit. Be especially careful on slopes that face northwest, north, northeast, and east.

<p>Mild fall weather continues in the Front Range zone. Many of the upper-elevation areas have been snowcovered for over a month. Reports from the backcountry describe a mix of loose facets or hard wind slabs in the upper snowpack covering weak facets over an ice layer near the bottom. Just to make things more interesting, you might find a layer of surface hoar under the upper slab.</p> <p>Although this&nbsp;is not a great setup if you want a stable snowpack,&nbsp;we haven't&nbsp;had a big loading event in over a week. This means that&nbsp;you are unlikely to trigger an avalanche unless you are on a very steep slope&nbsp;with hard snow in the upper portion of the snowpack. Safe backcountry travel is possible in many areas, but you'll need to&nbsp;evaluate steep upper-elevation slopes before you&nbsp;commit. Be especially careful on slopes that face northwest, north, northeast, and east.</p>
Weather Discussion

Beautiful fall weather continues as a ridge of high pressure builds over Colorado.Today expect clear skies and light winds from the west and southwest. The next low-pressure system is brewing in the Pacific Northwest. Overnight winds speeds over the highest terrain will increase into the 20 to 30 mph range and clouds will start to build in the Northern Mountains. The low-pressure trough will pass through Colorado on Saturday. Clouds will spread into the Central Mountains with scattered snow showers in the Northern Mountains.There is a slight break before a second low-pressure system moves in on Sunday. This is a slightly stronger system, but most of the weather will remain in the northern half of the state.

<p>Beautiful fall weather continues as a ridge of high pressure builds over Colorado.Today expect clear skies and light winds from the west and southwest. The next low-pressure system is brewing in the Pacific Northwest. Overnight winds speeds over the highest terrain will increase into the 20 to 30 mph range and clouds will start to build in the Northern Mountains. The low-pressure trough will pass through Colorado on Saturday. Clouds will spread into the Central Mountains with scattered snow showers in the Northern Mountains.There is a slight break before a second low-pressure system moves in on Sunday. This is a slightly stronger system, but most of the weather will remain in the northern half of the state.</p>
Weather Forecast
Fields Friday Friday Night Saturday
Temperature (°F) 30 to 35 15 to 20 25 to 30
Wind Speed (mph) 5 to 15 10 to 20 15 to 25
Wind Direction W W W
Sky Cover Mostly Clear CM Partly Cloudy PC Mostly Cloudy MC
Snow (in) 0 0 0 to T

Moderate Wind Slab
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