Sawatch

Avalanche

A natural avalanche cycle occurred sometime between 2/3/16 in the afternoon and the morning of 2/4/16. Avalanche activity was the result of an increase in westerly winds with gusts into the forties above 12000 feet. Previous to the wind event areas of the Sawatch received approximately 18 inches of snow from Jan 29th to Feb. 1st with light to moderate westerly winds. Most of the avalanches viewed stepped down into deeper buried weak layers with a few avalanches stepping down to the ground.