(COLORADO) — With another round of snow coming to Colorado over the weekend beginning on Friday, Feb. 2 the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is warning those hoping to get into the mountains that there will be high avalanche danger.
CDOT said the heaviest snow will impact the southern mountain range, with northern and central mountain ranges getting snow later in the weekend. The snow is expected to overlap with ski traffic and drivers should prepare for travel impacts throughout the day on Saturday.
A significant amount of snow is expected to fall on southwest Colorado’s high country and U.S. 40 Berthoud Pass, which CDOT said are popular backcountry destinations, which may pose avalanche risks throughout the weekend. CDOT is asking backcountry recreationists to avoid venturing into areas alongside roadways, not only for their safety but for the safety of drivers on Colorado’s highways, to prevent triggering snow slides onto the road.
“Backcountry avalanche conditions are going to be changing throughout the weekend as the storm moves through the state,” said Ethan Greene, director of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. “We expect high avalanche danger in most mountain areas on Saturday and dangerous conditions lasting into Monday.”
CDOT is telling those traveling to be prepared for safety closures as CDOT and the Colorado Avalanche Information Center conduct avalanche mitigation. Backcountry users should be aware of avalanche conditions by visiting Colorado.gov/avalanche.
If you do encounter an avalanche while in your vehicle CDOT shares some tips to keep you safe:
Stay in your vehicle and keep the windows up.
Turn off your vehicle to prevent carbon monoxide from filling the car.
Call for help on a cell phone.
Plan ahead during the winter season and keep additional food, water, warm clothes, and blankets in your vehicle.
CDOT advises anyone recreating to take care when parking, and keep an eye out for caution signs at avalanche areas that indicate no stopping or standing at that location.
