Aspen, Colorado – An Avalanche Warning is in effect in the Elk Mountains and Gore Range, where about a foot of new snow is expected by Tuesday morning. This snowfall and strong winds will create very dangerous avalanche conditions here on Tuesday. Remember, travel in backcountry avalanche terrain is not recommended at HIGH (4 of 5) danger.

Across the rest of the Northern and Central Mountains, where 3 to 8 inches of snow is expected by Tuesday morning, the avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE (3 of 5). The increased avalanche danger is being driven by the new snow. Although tomorrow is April Fools’ Day—and recent storms have underdelivered—this one has all the ingredients to be potent!

Snow picks up around midnight, with rates over 1 inch per hour in many areas, and blizzard-like conditions early Tuesday. Snow continues through the day, bringing 8 to 15 inches in the Northern and Central Mountains, with over 20 inches possible in the Gore Range and Elk Mountains by Tuesday night. The Southern Mountains will see 4 to 8 inches in total.

This video shows a small Wind Slab avalanche in French Creek on Pikes Peak, triggered by a climber. With the new snow and the strong winds that come with this storm, you can easily trigger an avalanche where you find wind-drifted snow on steep slopes—especially near ridgelines, in gullies, or behind convex rollovers. Safer travel means sticking to lower-angle or wind-sheltered slopes.

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