An avalanche watch was reported by the National Weather Service on Tuesday at 4:38 p.m. in effect until Wednesday at 4:45 p.m. for Elkhead and Park Mountains, West Elk and Sawatch Mountains, Flat Tops and West Jackson and West Grand counties above 9,000 feet.

The NWS says to prepare for, “Dangerous avalanche conditions are taking shape. Expect the Avalanche Danger to rise to HIGH (Level 4 of 5) by late Wednesday evening.”

“Heavy snow and wind, drifting snow, will create dangerous avalanche conditions. Large and dangerous avalanches will be easy to trigger once the new snow accumulates. Avalanches will run naturally,” describes the NWS.

How to stay safe according to the NWS

Know the three factors required for an avalanche:

• Slope: Avalanche generally occur on slopes steeper than 30 degrees

• Snowpack: Recent avalanches, shooting cracks, and “whumpfing” are signs of unstable snow

• Trigger: Sometimes it doesn’t take much to tip the balance; people, new snow, and wind are common triggers

Determine if you are on or below slopes that can avalanche:

• Find out if the snow is stable

• Get the advisory: Refer to your local avalanche center for current snowpack conditions

• Get the gear and learn how to use it

Have these three avalanche safety essentials in your pack:

• Transceiver: So you can be found if covered by the snow

• Shovel: So you can dig out your partner

• Probe: So you can locate someone who has been covered by the snow

Avalanche survival rates plummet after about 15 minutes for victims who do not die from trauma. Saving your partner is up to you! Practicing realistic scenarios beforehand is essential.

Source: The National Weather Service