Avalanche Weekly Summary - November 7, 2024
In the Southern Mountains, most areas received over a foot of snow, while the southeastern San Juan Mountains—from Wolf Creek Pass through the Sangre de Cristo Range—accumulated as much as 2-3 feet. Snowfall is expected to continue into Friday before tapering over the weekend. The snowpack in most of the San Juan Mountains is “right-side-up,” but areas with more than 8 inches of new snow and storm totals pushing two feet in the southeastern San Juan Mountains and Sangre de Cristo Range a developing Storm Slab problem is on the list, and steep slopes should be approached with caution.
In the Central Mountains, a powerful upslope blizzard on Wednesday brought 50-70 mph winds and dumped 17 inches of snow with 1.5 inches of SWE at Monarch Pass. These upslope conditions will persist through Friday, primarily affecting Monarch and Pike’s Peak, while other areas in the Central Mountains remain relatively calm, with light winds and cloudy skies. With the recent snowfall and wind loading, avalanche danger is elevated near Monarch Pass and Pikes Peak, where small wind slabs on facets may be triggered in isolated drifted areas near ridgelines.
In the Northern Mountains, a significant snowfall on November 3 dropped up to 20 inches in the Tenmile Range and areas west to Vail Pass. This region also has the season’s first Persistent Slab avalanche problem, particularly in Summit County. October’s early snow has faceted and created a weak layer near the ground, now covered by fresh slabs. Field reports show avalanches breaking near the ground on northerly slopes near and above treeline, where wind-stiffened snow rests on weak layers, particularly those that were affected by the November 3 storm.
As we head into the weekend, conditions will vary across the state.
- In the southeastern San Juan Mountains and Sangre de Cristo Range, where Storm Slab problems are developing, the chances of triggering an avalanche increase to MODERATE avalanche danger in part of the southeastern San Juan Mountains and CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger in the Sangre de Cristo Range.
- We have generally safe avalanche conditions across most of the Central Mountains. higher danger exists around Monarch Pass and Pikes Peak, with potential Wind Slab avalanche issues in drifted areas.
- In the Northern Mountains, you can trigger avalanches that break near the ground, about 2 feet deep, on northerly slopes near and above treeline in areas that got heavy snow on November 3.
Backcountry travelers should keep an eye on localized snow and wind conditions, as more favorable weather is expected heading into the weekend. Get the latest forecast for full details.
