Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Abajo Area Mountains Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Monday - February 27, 2017 - 6:53am
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE on steep slopes that have recent deposits of wind drifted snow. Look for increasing danger over the next 24 hours as snow and wind create new wind slabs on the leeward sides of ridge crests and terrain features in upper elevation, wind exposed terrain. At mid and lower elevations the danger is mostly LOW.
special announcement

The Abajo/Blue Mountain avalanche advisory will provide detailed information on the weekends. During the week, general information and a danger rating will be posted.

Earlier this month, Colorado experienced a snowbike fatality. This is the newest user group to venture into avalanche terrain, and we have several snowbikes in the area. It's a tragic story, and a complex situation where the victim had an airbag but wasn't wearing a beacon. Read the story in the official report from the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.

current conditions

Winds, temperature and humidity on Abajo Peak.

Snow depth at Camp Jackson.
weather

An approaching storm will begin to impact the area Monday morning with weather impacts through Tuesday bringing more widespread snowfall to the region. Winter Storm Highlights are currently in effect for Monday morning through Tuesday evening. The weather pattern will remain cooler than normal with an unsettled northwest flow through much of next week.

Monday

Periods of snow showers. Widespread blowing snow between 3pm and 4pm. High near 31. Windy, with a south southwest wind 25 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 50 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Monday Night

Snow showers. Widespread blowing snow, mainly before 11pm. Low around 18. Breezy, with a west wind 20 to 25 mph decreasing to 10 to 15 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Tuesday

Snow showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 21. Blustery, with a west wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Tuesday Night

A 20 percent chance of snow showers before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 13. Blustery, with a north northwest wind 15 to 20 mph.

Wednesday

Sunny, with a high near 24.
general announcements

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The information in this advisory is from the US Forest Service which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.