2009/10 Snowy Range snow conditions
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H
HappyJack
Well-known member
Avy Forescast 3.19
Backcountry Avalanche Forecast for Front Range
Issued 03/19/2010 6:42 AM by John Snook
Avalanche Watch in Effect through 03/20/2010 6:00 AM
An avalanche watch is issued for the Front Range zone where heavy snow and strong easterly winds are predicted for Friday along and east of the Continental Divide. Snowfall accumulations could exceed a foot in some areas. The avalanche danger will steadily increase on Friday. The primary concern will be avalanches within the new storm and wind loaded snow. A watch means that if weather forecast conditions verify, then avalanche warning criteria are expected within 24 hours. If storm snowfall accumulations exceed one foot by Saturday morning, then natural and human triggered slides will become likely on Saturday.
Highlights
Heavy snow expected through Friday favoring the east side of the Divide. Accumulations exceeding a foot are possible for favored locations. Strong easterly winds will load westerly aspects. The avalanche danger will rise on Friday. Colder temperatures and wind are ingredients to generate fresh slab. The primary concern will be storm and wind loaded snow sliding on the old snow surface. Choose your terrain carefully by avoiding terrain traps and slopes where slides could carry you into trees, rocks, or over cliffs.
Avalanche Danger
The avalanche danger for the Front Range zone will increase to CONSIDERABLE by Friday afternoon. Human-triggered slides will become probable as storm and wind loaded snow accumulates.
Snow & Avalanche Discussion
Winter will return to the Front Range zone on Friday in a big way. Strong easterly upslope flow will generate heavy snowfall through the day for areas east of the Continental Divide. Expect to find wind loading on aspects facing toward the westerly side of the compass. Strong winds and colder temperatures are ingredients to generate fresh slab. The colder temperatures will help to lock up the pre-existing snowpack, so the primary concern will be avalanches within the new storm and wind loaded snow. As snow accumulates, the avalanche danger will increase through the day. Human triggered slides will become probable by afternoon. The slides will initially not be large, but choose your terrain carefully. Avoid terrain traps where even small sluffs could accumulate into larger debris piles. Also, avoid areas where a small slide could carry you into trees or over exposed terrain such as rocks or cliffs. The forecast indicates areas east of the Divide could receive greater than a foot of new snow. As snow and wind loading accumulates, the size of avalanches could increase. An avalanche watch is issued based on the weather forecast. If snowfall accumulations exceed one foot by Saturday morning, then natural and human triggered slides could become likely on Saturday.
Backcountry Avalanche Forecast for Front Range
Issued 03/19/2010 6:42 AM by John Snook
Avalanche Watch in Effect through 03/20/2010 6:00 AM
An avalanche watch is issued for the Front Range zone where heavy snow and strong easterly winds are predicted for Friday along and east of the Continental Divide. Snowfall accumulations could exceed a foot in some areas. The avalanche danger will steadily increase on Friday. The primary concern will be avalanches within the new storm and wind loaded snow. A watch means that if weather forecast conditions verify, then avalanche warning criteria are expected within 24 hours. If storm snowfall accumulations exceed one foot by Saturday morning, then natural and human triggered slides will become likely on Saturday.
Highlights
Heavy snow expected through Friday favoring the east side of the Divide. Accumulations exceeding a foot are possible for favored locations. Strong easterly winds will load westerly aspects. The avalanche danger will rise on Friday. Colder temperatures and wind are ingredients to generate fresh slab. The primary concern will be storm and wind loaded snow sliding on the old snow surface. Choose your terrain carefully by avoiding terrain traps and slopes where slides could carry you into trees, rocks, or over cliffs.
Avalanche Danger
The avalanche danger for the Front Range zone will increase to CONSIDERABLE by Friday afternoon. Human-triggered slides will become probable as storm and wind loaded snow accumulates.
Snow & Avalanche Discussion
Winter will return to the Front Range zone on Friday in a big way. Strong easterly upslope flow will generate heavy snowfall through the day for areas east of the Continental Divide. Expect to find wind loading on aspects facing toward the westerly side of the compass. Strong winds and colder temperatures are ingredients to generate fresh slab. The colder temperatures will help to lock up the pre-existing snowpack, so the primary concern will be avalanches within the new storm and wind loaded snow. As snow accumulates, the avalanche danger will increase through the day. Human triggered slides will become probable by afternoon. The slides will initially not be large, but choose your terrain carefully. Avoid terrain traps where even small sluffs could accumulate into larger debris piles. Also, avoid areas where a small slide could carry you into trees or over exposed terrain such as rocks or cliffs. The forecast indicates areas east of the Divide could receive greater than a foot of new snow. As snow and wind loading accumulates, the size of avalanches could increase. An avalanche watch is issued based on the weather forecast. If snowfall accumulations exceed one foot by Saturday morning, then natural and human triggered slides could become likely on Saturday.
Snotel was showing 20" at Cinnabar Park.
) Widow Maker
Can some one please tell me what mtn. peak or ridge widow maker is part of? Went riding there and feeling uncomfortable about not being able to pi point it on the map.
Can some one please tell me what mtn. peak or ridge widow maker is part of? Went riding there and feeling uncomfortable about not being able to pi point it on the map.
Just southwest of North Gap lake. Straight west of Browns peak.
The east facing slope at the very north end of North Gap Lake. There are more dangerous climbs south along that range as you go toward Medicine Bow Peak, but the north end has always been known as the Widow Maker.
H
HappyJack
Well-known member
AVALANCHE WATCH IS IN EFFECT!!!!!
Avalanche Watch in Effect through 03/24/2010 12:00 PM
We have issued an Avalanche Watch for the Front Range, Sawatch, and Sangre de Christo zones. Heavy snowfall will start Tuesday afternoon and continue through Wednesday. If the forecast snow amounts arrive, the avalanche danger will be rising rapidly. A Watch indicates that the avalanche danger could reach HIGH over a large portion of the zone within 24 hours.
Avalanche Watch in Effect through 03/24/2010 12:00 PM
We have issued an Avalanche Watch for the Front Range, Sawatch, and Sangre de Christo zones. Heavy snowfall will start Tuesday afternoon and continue through Wednesday. If the forecast snow amounts arrive, the avalanche danger will be rising rapidly. A Watch indicates that the avalanche danger could reach HIGH over a large portion of the zone within 24 hours.
Rode out of Albany today(demo ride of the '11 RMK) probably 6" new on the trail when we came back in at 3pm. In the meadows north of Rob Roy more like 10" to a foot new. It's snowing like a beotch out right now and my truck and trailer is stuck in my driveway---perfect!
Should be really good for ya, looks like more possibly coming in again Fri and Sat. BTW, I'd really heed HappyJacks post on tha avy conditions. If it's snowing as hard up top as it is here at the house it's gonna be deep and unstable.
H
HappyJack
Well-known member
AVALANCHE WARNING!!!!!!
Avalanche Warning in Effect through 03/25/2010 12:00 PM
Avalanche Warning for the Front Range Zone.
Rapid, heavy snowfall has created dangerous avalanche conditions. Natural and human triggered avalanches are likely. The new snow has fallen on crusts or weak snow and could avalanche easily. Avalanches in the new snow could overwhelm deep weak layers and trigger large, destructive avalanches.
The deepest accumulations are east of the Continental Divide, and south of Rocky Mountain National Park. Remote stations, as of 0200, indicate 6 to 7 inches of snow/0.5 inches water around Cameron Pass, 9"/0.7" at Bear Lake, 14"/1.1" at Lake Eldora, 8"/0.5" Berthoud Pass, 6"/0.5" Loveland Basin. Winds have been light to moderate, but changed from southerly to northerly, so some drifting occurred on most slopes below main ridgelines.
Snowy Range Ski Area is Reporting 28", so for the Snowies the Avalanche Conditions are even worse than stated for the Front Range in my opinion
Highlights
Will update this forecast with more snow totals mid-morning.
Avalanche Danger
The avalanche danger for the Front Range zone is HIGH and an Avalanche Warning is in effect. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended, and safe routefinding will require skill.
Avalanche Warning in Effect through 03/25/2010 12:00 PM
Avalanche Warning for the Front Range Zone.
Rapid, heavy snowfall has created dangerous avalanche conditions. Natural and human triggered avalanches are likely. The new snow has fallen on crusts or weak snow and could avalanche easily. Avalanches in the new snow could overwhelm deep weak layers and trigger large, destructive avalanches.
The deepest accumulations are east of the Continental Divide, and south of Rocky Mountain National Park. Remote stations, as of 0200, indicate 6 to 7 inches of snow/0.5 inches water around Cameron Pass, 9"/0.7" at Bear Lake, 14"/1.1" at Lake Eldora, 8"/0.5" Berthoud Pass, 6"/0.5" Loveland Basin. Winds have been light to moderate, but changed from southerly to northerly, so some drifting occurred on most slopes below main ridgelines.
Snowy Range Ski Area is Reporting 28", so for the Snowies the Avalanche Conditions are even worse than stated for the Front Range in my opinion
Highlights
Will update this forecast with more snow totals mid-morning.
Avalanche Danger
The avalanche danger for the Front Range zone is HIGH and an Avalanche Warning is in effect. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended, and safe routefinding will require skill.
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Our place is west of Rob Roy - at least a foot of new snow there as of last night when I talked to my parents.
How was the RMK? Saw it at the show in Denver last week - looked solid.
H
HappyJack
Well-known member
AVALANCHE WARNING IS IN EFFECT - DANGER IS HIGH to EXTREME
Backcountry Avalanche Forecast for Front Range
Issued 03/24/2010 9:52 AM by Spencer Logan
Avalanche Warning in Effect through 03/25/2010 12:00 PM
Avalanche Warning for the Front Range Zone.
Rapid, heavy snowfall has created dangerous avalanche conditions. Natural and human triggered avalanches are likely. The new snow has fallen on crusts or weak snow and could avalanche easily. Avalanches in the new snow could overwhelm deep weak layers and trigger large, destructive avalanches.
The deepest accumulations are east of the Continental Divide, and south of Rocky Mountain National Park. Remote stations, as of 0200, indicate 6 to 7 inches of snow/0.5 inches water around Cameron Pass, 9"/0.7" at Bear Lake, 14"/1.1" at Lake Eldora, 8"/0.5" Berthoud Pass, 6"/0.5" Loveland Basin. Winds have been light to moderate, but changed from southerly to northerly, so some drifting occurred on most slopes below main ridgelines.
Highlights
Updated snow accumulations as of 0800: 5 to 8 inches of snow fell west of the Divide; 5 to 8 around Cameron Pass; about 10 inches around Bear Lake; Eldora/James Peak area the big winner with around 13 inches, and the ski area reporting 18 inches; and over a foot around Glen Cove on Pikes Peak. Winds were light to moderate from the north and east since yesterday afternoon.
AGAIN, 28" NEW REPORTED AT SNOWY RANGE SKI AREA THUS MAKING THE SNOWIES IN MY HUMBLE OPINION _ E X T R E M E
Avalanche Danger
The avalanche danger for the Front Range zone is HIGH and an Avalanche Warning is in effect. Natural and human-triggered avalanches are likely. Travel in avalanche terrain or below steep slopes is not recommended, and strong route-finding skills are necessary.
Snow & Avalanche Discussion
Today's problem is the sheer weight of the snowfall and how rapidly it fell overnight. The snowpack never likes sudden changes, and it jsut a suffered a big one. The new snow is fairly dense, around 10%. Higher density snow can bond well to the older snow. Unfortunately, the new snow is not sitting on the best of surfaces. Sunny slopes have a supportable crust that can make a slick bed surface. Easterly and westerly aspects have a thinner crust. The shadiest slopes have settled and faceted storm snow from Friday, a classic weak layer. Add to the mix the extensive windloading on easterly aspects from Sunday and Monday, and you've got an challenging mix of older snow surfaces and weak layers under the new snow. Natural and triggered avalanches are likely on all slopes today.
Under that old surface, the old snowpack has been gaining some strength. Areas below treeline with a shallow snowpack remain weak and heavily faceted, and avalanches could plow down to the ground through the old weak snow. Deep weak layers remain a potential problem in isolated areas near treeline, and new snow avalanches could step down to these deeper layers.
Backcountry Avalanche Forecast for Front Range
Issued 03/24/2010 9:52 AM by Spencer Logan
Avalanche Warning in Effect through 03/25/2010 12:00 PM
Avalanche Warning for the Front Range Zone.
Rapid, heavy snowfall has created dangerous avalanche conditions. Natural and human triggered avalanches are likely. The new snow has fallen on crusts or weak snow and could avalanche easily. Avalanches in the new snow could overwhelm deep weak layers and trigger large, destructive avalanches.
The deepest accumulations are east of the Continental Divide, and south of Rocky Mountain National Park. Remote stations, as of 0200, indicate 6 to 7 inches of snow/0.5 inches water around Cameron Pass, 9"/0.7" at Bear Lake, 14"/1.1" at Lake Eldora, 8"/0.5" Berthoud Pass, 6"/0.5" Loveland Basin. Winds have been light to moderate, but changed from southerly to northerly, so some drifting occurred on most slopes below main ridgelines.
Highlights
Updated snow accumulations as of 0800: 5 to 8 inches of snow fell west of the Divide; 5 to 8 around Cameron Pass; about 10 inches around Bear Lake; Eldora/James Peak area the big winner with around 13 inches, and the ski area reporting 18 inches; and over a foot around Glen Cove on Pikes Peak. Winds were light to moderate from the north and east since yesterday afternoon.
AGAIN, 28" NEW REPORTED AT SNOWY RANGE SKI AREA THUS MAKING THE SNOWIES IN MY HUMBLE OPINION _ E X T R E M E
Avalanche Danger
The avalanche danger for the Front Range zone is HIGH and an Avalanche Warning is in effect. Natural and human-triggered avalanches are likely. Travel in avalanche terrain or below steep slopes is not recommended, and strong route-finding skills are necessary.
Snow & Avalanche Discussion
Today's problem is the sheer weight of the snowfall and how rapidly it fell overnight. The snowpack never likes sudden changes, and it jsut a suffered a big one. The new snow is fairly dense, around 10%. Higher density snow can bond well to the older snow. Unfortunately, the new snow is not sitting on the best of surfaces. Sunny slopes have a supportable crust that can make a slick bed surface. Easterly and westerly aspects have a thinner crust. The shadiest slopes have settled and faceted storm snow from Friday, a classic weak layer. Add to the mix the extensive windloading on easterly aspects from Sunday and Monday, and you've got an challenging mix of older snow surfaces and weak layers under the new snow. Natural and triggered avalanches are likely on all slopes today.
Under that old surface, the old snowpack has been gaining some strength. Areas below treeline with a shallow snowpack remain weak and heavily faceted, and avalanches could plow down to the ground through the old weak snow. Deep weak layers remain a potential problem in isolated areas near treeline, and new snow avalanches could step down to these deeper layers.
Snowies...
Sounds like good riding...I am on I80 driving thru NE headed to the Snowy Range. Anyone know how much snow is on top or the backside???
I see the avelanche warnings are out...any areas to stay away from? How is sh@thouse hill? Has that ever slid? Widowmaker?
Sounds like good riding...I am on I80 driving thru NE headed to the Snowy Range. Anyone know how much snow is on top or the backside???
I see the avelanche warnings are out...any areas to stay away from? How is sh@thouse hill? Has that ever slid? Widowmaker?
Just down from riding, it snowed more on the east side similar to the way it did with the last storm. It did snow more than last time though, probably 18" to 24" behind Rock Creek Knoll over to Sand Lake. Lesser amounts to Bow River back to the gap, didn't work the backside. As for the avy conditions there really wasn't much snow on Widowmaker and Sugarloaf, mostly at the bases with old tracks showing at the top. Still some very large cornices, so be careful.
Tony you probably ended up with more down your way, as far as the RMK--believe I may have to have one. It felt very much like my dragon, but you could tell it was much lighter.
Tony you probably ended up with more down your way, as far as the RMK--believe I may have to have one. It felt very much like my dragon, but you could tell it was much lighter.
Good deal. The guys at the show were pointing out that when you pulled a powder turn on those, the first thing that would hit the snow would be the end of the handlebars. Looks like they did their homework.
Mom & Dad went over to Rendezvous for lunch today with one of the neighbors - they said the snow was better on the east side, but they still broke trail most of the way over there. The problem was as they went west there was only about 3" of new 'trail' to break. They had way better snow around the cabin.
The next storm rolls in tomorrow night - I hope it treats us well.
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