"Historic" Avalanche Threat in Colorado

news image
Special Stories
7 Mar 2019 9:14 AM
The Colorado Avalanche Information Center warns of a potentially large to "historic" avalanche threat, tweeting out the 'extreme' level 5 of 5 threat Thursday morning. https://twitter.com/COAvalancheInfo/status/1103649463455895557   Multiple avalanches have occurred across the state in recent days. Slides in Wyoming and Colorado have turned deadly. CAIC reports two recent deaths, one in Wyoming when a snowmobiler was caught and buried in a slide on March 4. Another fatality occurred in Colorado as a back-country skier was buried in an avalanche on March 3. Parts of I-70 have had to be shut down multiple times in recent day with multiple slides occurring, and blocking the roadway, including this slide caught on camera on March 3. https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1102797385242214400   On Thursday morning, local officials shut down a portion of Colorado's I-70 and SR-91 due a natural gas leak after an avalanche hit near a local gas station. https://twitter.com/Summit_Fire/status/1103652859894263810   Following information and story from WeatherNation affiliate KOAA: KOAA - The Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) warned of “historic avalanche danger” around the central mountains of Colorado following recent heavy snow. In a tweet Thursday morning, the CAIC raised its avalanche danger scale to “extreme.” That scale warns that major avalanches are very likely and natural and man-made avalanches are “certain.” The avalanche warning is for the Vail, Summit County, Sawatch, Gunnison and Aspen zones. The warning comes after yet another avalanche spilled snow onto I-70 early Thursday morning at Vail Pass. I-70 had been covered by multiple avalanches Sunday afternoon east of Copper Mountain. Meanwhile, the Front Range, the San Juan, Steamboat and High Mesa zones were upgraded to 4/5 on the avalanche scale. That means large avalanches are possible in many areas.  
All Weather News
More
Record Heat Rolls East This Week

Record Heat Rolls East This Week

Now that we've entered Meteorological Spring,

4 Mar 2026 11:40 AM
Northeast: Snow & Ice Winds Down, Heavy Rain Ahead

Northeast: Snow & Ice Winds Down, Heavy Rain Ahead

As we turn the page from an active winter wit

4 Mar 2026 11:35 AM
Severe Thunderstorms Possible The Rest of the Week

Severe Thunderstorms Possible The Rest of the Week

As we head through the rest of the work week,

4 Mar 2026 11:30 AM
Severe Weather Awareness Week 2026

Severe Weather Awareness Week 2026

WeatherNation wants to make sure you are prep

4 Mar 2026 10:30 AM
Lunar Eclipse Stuns Many Tuesday Morning

Lunar Eclipse Stuns Many Tuesday Morning

A blood moon graced the skies this morning! H

3 Mar 2026 8:55 AM
Spring & Summer Like Temperatures for the Southwest

Spring & Summer Like Temperatures for the Southwest

This week brings some nice days to the southe

2 Mar 2026 11:40 AM
The Severe Storm Risk Continues Across the Southeast

The Severe Storm Risk Continues Across the Southeast

A busy day on Thursday resulted in several re

28 Feb 2026 7:00 PM