Aspen
AvalancheBrian Lazar · May 19, 2023 · Aspen
Weather
Temperatures were just below freezing at 11,500 ft at 8am with mostly clear skies west of the Continental Divide. However, clouds were parked right on the divide and the sky was mostly cloudy to obscured east of the pass. Clouds started to build by 10 AM and skies were mostly cloudy by 10:30 AM. Light rain began to fall below 10K ft around this time.
Snowpack
Surface freeze broke down by 10:30 AM at 11,500 ft but stayed in tact above 12,000 ft. East-facing terrain around West Roaring Fork north to Geissler Mtn are showing lots of dust. Other aspects at this elevation are much whiter. Below treeline is draining the abundant melt water effectively. Only concern would be for heavy rain above 11,500 ft.
Avalanche
Four new Loose Wet avalanches on the northwest face of Independence Mtn (D1 to 1.5).