{"id":1911,"date":"2022-10-21T03:40:43","date_gmt":"2022-10-21T09:40:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/?p=1911"},"modified":"2022-10-21T05:12:10","modified_gmt":"2022-10-21T11:12:10","slug":"avalanche-safety-be-prepared-or-die-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/colorado-weather\/avalanche-safety-be-prepared-or-die-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Avalanche safety – Be prepared or die"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Avalanches
Avalanches claim lives every year in Colorado. Before you head to the mountains, be sure you are prepared! (Wikimedia Commons)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As snow starts to fall, many Coloradoans and out of state visitors will take advantage of it and head to the mountains for a variety of outdoor activities.\u00a0 Whether skiing, snowshoeing, or hiking, anyone who spends time outdoors in the high country needs to be aware of the danger avalanches present.\u00a0 On average six people die in Colorado every year from avalanches and being prepared is an essential survival skill.<\/p>\n

In this fifth in a series on Winter Weather Preparedness<\/a> from the National Weather Service<\/a>, ThorntonWeather.com helps you understand avalanches, where they occur, how to protect yourself and where to go for more information. \u00a0If you are headed to the high country, be sure to check out our Avalanche Information & Forecast page<\/a>.<\/p>\n

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
\nNATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
\n600 AM MDT FRI OCT 21 2022<\/p>\n

Avalanches –\u00a0Are you prepared?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Thousands of avalanches occur each winter in the mountains of Colorado. With the\u00a0enormous popularity of winter sports in Colorado, this poses a risk to skiers,\u00a0snowboarders, snowmobilers, and people traveling in the backcountry. On average 6\u00a0people die in Avalanches in the state of Colorado every year. Anyone who travels into\u00a0the high country in the winter should be prepared for avalanches And know how to\u00a0avoid them.<\/p>\n

The most important thing to know is how to get information on current avalanche conditions. Check the Colorado Avalanche Information Center website at http:\/\/avalanche.state.co.us\/ for the current avalanche forecast and the National Weather Service website http:\/\/www.weather.gov for the current weather forecast in your area. Knowing the current and future conditions will help you make good decisions in the backcountry.<\/p>\n

\n

Winter Weather Education Series<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Intro<\/td>\nWinter Weather Preparedness Week<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Part 1<\/td>\nWinter travel safety<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Part 2<\/td>\nWatches\u2026warnings\u2026and advisories<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Part 3<\/td>\nHigh winds<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Part 4<\/td>\nWind chill temperatures and hypothermia<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Part 5<\/td>\nAvalanche safety<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Review<\/td>\nWinter Weather Preparedness Week review<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

A little information about avalanche safety can go a long way. Most avalanches occur\u00a0during or just after snowstorms on a slopes between 30 to 45 degrees. A significant\u00a0snowfall may result in an unstable snowpack. By waiting at least 36 hours after a big\u00a0snow or wind storm before you go into the mountains the Snow may become more\u00a0stable and less likely to avalanche. If you stay in valleys away from avalanche chutes,\u00a0in stands of dense trees, or on gentle slopes you can decrease the risk of being caught\u00a0in an avalanche.<\/p>\n

If you are a skier or snowboarder at a commercial ski area the risk from avalanches is\u00a0lower than in the backcountry. Ski patrols work to reduce the chance of an avalanche on\u00a0open slopes. Respect the rules of the ski area, stay on open slopes, and do not stray\u00a0out of bounds or into closed areas. The avalanche risk is higher outside of the ski area\u00a0boundaries.<\/p>\n

If you want to enjoy the great outdoors in areas prone to avalanches…You can reduce\u00a0the danger by following a few simple rules:<\/p>\n