The Colorado Avalanche Info Heart (CAIC) has issued a number of Avalanche Warnings throughout Colorado, with widespread HIGH hazard (4 of 5) anticipated by way of the tip of the week.
Peak winds and heavy snow are set to quickly load an already compromised snowpack, creating what forecasters are calling very harmful circumstances as of Wednesday morning. This example shouldn’t be take calmly.
Wednesday, February 18th, is a day to remain out of avalanche terrain completely. The CAIC is urging all backcountry vacationers to stay to easy, low-angle terrain underneath 30 levels and guarantee they’re effectively away from runout zones. In areas underneath Avalanche Warning, you possibly can simply set off giant, damaging avalanches, with pure releases are anticipated as effectively.
To place “giant and damaging” in perspective, the CAIC has pointed to the D3 slide above from January third, 2026, that occurred above North Anthracite Creek for example of what these circumstances can produce. That slide propagated greater than a mile huge, ripping throughout a number of related slopes. That’s the size of what’s doable on the market proper now.
Be sure to examine the forecast at colorado.gov/avalanche earlier than you head out, and when unsure, keep dwelling. The mountains will nonetheless be there when the hazard drops.
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