You are most likely to trigger an avalanche on recently wind-loaded easterly and south-facing slopes. Look for and avoid any slopes where you see recent cornice formation, smooth rounds pillows of snow, or hard, hollow sounding slabs. Cracking and collapsing in the surface snow are signs of danger. If you trigger an avalanche in the recently drifted snow it can break 2 feet deep and can catch you off guard. In rare cases, avalanche in the freshly drifted snow can step down to deeper buried weak layers resulting in a larger more dangerous avalanche.
Temperatures will warm into the high thirties today. You may be able to trigger small avalanches in the wet surface snow. These avalanches will grow larger as the day progresses. This is particularly true in areas where colder snow is seeing its first shot of sun. These avalanches will be relatively harmless unless you are caught in steep consequential terrain. A wet sticky snow surface, rollerballs, and small wet avalanches running from steep rocky terrain are signs of increasing danger and signs that you should find a cooler aspect to ride. If you find yourself sinking deeper than about 5 inches into wet snow it may be time to call it a day. Start on easterly-facing aspects and move west as the snow surface starts to warm. Think about your egress in the afternoon when conditions will be the most dangerous. Do not get stuck having to exit through steep westerly-facing terrain late in the afternoon.
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If you are recreating, please do so responsibly. This includes following social distancing requirements, not taking actions that risk pulling emergency service workers away from the important work they’re doing, or compromising their ability to continue that work. Learn more about the CAIC’s work during the pandemic here.
Governor Polis issued a Statewide Stay-at-Home order on March 25, 2020 - Learn more here
Many of Colorado's counties have issued public health orders that affect travel and recreation. You can start your search for local information here. Here is some information for this zone: Eagle County and Summit County