Cars Buried in Colorado Avalanche Sunday

FEET of snow has fallen in the highest elevations of the Intermountain West this weekend leading to the high avalanche threat in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming. According to the Grand County Sheriff, along the Berthoud Pass, an avalanche occurred Sunday afternoon that led to 10 cars being buried in the snowfall. Thankfully no injuries were reported but US 40 remains closed through Monday night.

With all of the additional heavy snow to come, the avalanche danger will be heightened. When you add heavy snow on top of an already-in-place snowpack, a chunk could break off and slide downhill. High to Extreme avalanche danger is in place for Utah and Colorado through Monday morning with avalanche warnings in effect. Please avoid any backcountry skiing or traveling through mountain roadways.

How do crews try to lessen the impacts of all of this heavy snow? The Department of Transportation in Utah has been working to stay ahead of the avalanche danger late last week - setting off controlled avalanches on Friday.

Snowfall totals have been extreme in the mountains - nearly 4 feet for Utah's highest elevations! This much snow in a short amount of time can overload the slopes with snow weight, making for dangerous conditions for avalanches.