Cameron Pass

THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE IS TRANSMITTED AT THE REQUEST OF THE COLORADO AVALANCHE INFORMATION CENTER. AVALANCHE WARNING FOR THE CAIC STEAMBOAT AND FLAT TOPS, FRONT RANGE, VAIL AND SUMMIT COUNTY, ASPEN, GUNNISON, AND SAWATCH ZONES

TIMING...Beginning 5:00 AM Saturday December 14. Expires at 8:00 AM Sunday December 15.

AFFECTED AREA... Park Range, Flat Top Mountains, Medicine Bow Mountains, Never Summer Mountains, Front Range, Williams Fork Mountains, Ten Mile Range, Gore Range, Vail, Elk Mountains, Basalt, Red table, Hardscrabble, Ruby Range, West Elk Mountains, Mosquito Range, and Sawatch Range

AVALANCHE DANGER...The avalanche danger is HIGH (Level 4 of 5). Avalanches large enough to bury and kill a person are likely today. You can trigger avalanches from the bottom of slopes or from a distance. If you trigger an avalanche it will break deep in the snowpack and will be large and very dangerous.

REASON... Intense snowfall and strong winds will result in very dangerous avalanche conditions.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. Consult www.colorado.gov/avalanche for detailed information. Cooperstein

.Light to moderate snow is falling currently in the Colorado north central mountains. A prolonged flow of Pacific moisture is forecast to continue to move into the Rocky Mountains of Colorado through the weekend. The moist airmass is being driven by strong westerly winds aloft which will create an efficient snowfall producing storm system. Snow is expected to continue falling through Sunday afternoon. Snowfall rates will vary from less than inch an hour up to one or two inches per hour at times. Along with the snowfall, periods of gusty winds may also develop which will create blowing and drifting snow with poor visibilities. The initial period of moderate snowfall is expected to continue through Friday morning with a possible decrease Friday afternoon and evening. A second wave of moisture is then expected to arrive by Saturday which will keep the snow machine running into Sunday. Snowfall accumulations by Friday afternoon could be 12 to 18 inches. Additional accumulations over the weekend could amount to another foot, or more. Travel through the mountains will be difficult from Friday through Sunday, especially during periods of moderate to heavy snow and strong winds. If you are planning to travel through the mountains Friday through Sunday, check cotrip.org often for the latest road conditions and be prepared for extremely difficult travel conditions. ...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST FRIDAY... ...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY EVENING THROUGH LATE SATURDAY NIGHT...

WHAT...For the Winter Storm Warning, heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 9 to 17 inches. Winds gusting as high as 60 mph. For the Winter Storm Watch, heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 8 to 13 inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 60 mph.

WHERE...The Mountains of Summit County, the Mosquito Range, and the Indian Peaks, Rocky Mountain National Park and the Medicine Bow Range and Rabbit Ears Pass.

WHEN...For the Winter Storm Warning, from 5 PM this afternoon to 5 PM MST Friday. For the Winter Storm Watch, from Friday evening on through late Saturday night.

IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute. Strong winds could cause tree damage.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A lull in the storm is possible Friday afternoon or evening, but it may be short-lived or may be masked by periods of gusty winds that produce blowing and drifting of freshly falling snow. Travelers into the mountains should be prepared for very difficult travel conditions.