Post-Christmas Adventures: Navigate the Perilous Mountain Snow!

Recent snowfall will render roads icy and create perilous avalanche conditions throughout the mountains this weekend, say meteorologists.

The National Weather Service indicated that the northern Colorado mountains should anticipate light to moderately heavy snow, with between 8 and 12 inches expected to accumulate by Friday night near Rabbit Ears Pass and Cameron Pass, with projections of 3 to 7 inches in other areas.

Travel could become “difficult to impossible” at Rabbit Ears Pass, where U.S. 40 traverses the Continental Divide, the agency reported. Drivers are advised to carry a flashlight, food, and water if they must navigate through this region late Friday.

Scattered, blowing snow may also affect travel in regions above 10,000 feet, with additional snowfall anticipated on Saturday afternoon and Sunday evening.

The avalanche risk will increase on Saturday, as the Colorado Avalanche Information Center assesses the threat in several popular ski locations as “high” — signifying the second-highest risk tier.

Mountain ranges where hazardous slides could occur encompass the Park Range and Elkhead Mountains near Steamboat Springs, the Flat Tops, Gore Range, West Elk Mountains, Ragged Wilderness, and Ruby Range, according to CAIC.

“New snowfall combined with powerful winds will establish extremely dangerous avalanche conditions starting Friday night and continuing through Monday,” the center stated. “Travel in avalanche-prone areas is not advised during this period.”

Originally Published: December 27, 2024, at 8:05 AM MST