Full Notification

THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE IS TRANSMITTED AT THE REQUEST OF THE COLORADO AVALANCHE INFORMATION CENTER. AVALANCHE WATCH FOR THE SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS, AND THE WESTERN PORTIONS OF THE CENTRAL MOUNTAINS.

* TIMING...Issued at 6 AM MST on Tuesday January 15th for very dangerous avalanche conditions to begin Tuesday evening and continue through Wednesday January 16th

* AFFECTED AREA...the San Juan Mountains, San Miguel Mountains, Rico Mountains, Uncompahgre Plateau, Dallas Divide, La Garita Mountains, La Plata Mountains, Needle Mountains, Grenadier Range, Elk and West Elk Mountains, Ruby Range, and the Grand Mesa

* AVALANCHE DANGER...A HIGH(Level 4) avalanche danger will begin overnight if the forecast meets or exceeds forecast snow amounts

* REASON...A powerful Winter storm will impact the Central and Southern Mountains over the next 36 hours. Expect a heavy snow load on a weak snowpack beginning late Tuesday and continuing through Wednesday. The avalanche danger will rise rapidly. Avalanches will be large, easy to trigger and will release naturally.

* AFFECTED AREAS: GORE AND ELK MOUNTAINS/CENTRAL MOUNTAIN VALLEYS ... WEST ELK AND SAWATCH MOUNTAINS ... UNCOMPAHGRE PLATEAU/DALLAS DIVIDE ... NORTHWESTERN SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS ... GRAND AND BATTLEMENT MESAS ... EASTERN SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS ABOVE 10000 FT ... LA GARITA MOUNTAINS ABOVE 10000 FT ... SOUTHWEST SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS

Instructions:

avalanche terrain is not advised beginning Tuesday evening. As heavy snow continues overnight, natural avalanche will release naturally and may run from mountain tops to valley floors. Consult www.colorado.gov/avalanche for detailed information. Lazar