"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
Moisture and Lake Effect Snow for the Northeast

Moisture and Lake Effect Snow for the Northeast

A low-pressure system currently moving throug

25 Nov 2025 6:05 PM
One More Day of Severe Weather in the South

One More Day of Severe Weather in the South

Strong to severe storms continue their march

25 Nov 2025 6:00 PM
Snowy, Windy System Blows Through Upper Midwest

Snowy, Windy System Blows Through Upper Midwest

A low pressure system blowing through the Hig

25 Nov 2025 5:55 PM
North Side of Houston Struck by Tornado Monday

North Side of Houston Struck by Tornado Monday

Areas in southeast Houston quickly took cover

25 Nov 2025 3:24 PM
A Record Breaking Thanksgiving Travel Week Expected

A Record Breaking Thanksgiving Travel Week Expected

It is that time of year again—when millions o

25 Nov 2025 2:40 AM
Hurricane Melissa Produces Strongest Gust Recorded in a Hurricane

Hurricane Melissa Produces Strongest Gust Recorded in a Hurricane

Hurricane Melissa was a devastating category

23 Nov 2025 3:25 PM
Four Corners Expecting More Flooding Rain, Mountain Snow

Four Corners Expecting More Flooding Rain, Mountain Snow

A cut-off low will be moving out of southern

23 Nov 2025 3:20 AM