Colorado Avalanche Information Center - CAIC, 325 Broadway WS1, Boulder, CO (2026)

06/02/2026

In March, CAIC asked backcountry travelers to share how they made decisions during February 2026. We appreciate everyone who took the time to respond to the survey. Here are the results...

📊 For 18 consecutive days, avalanche danger in Colorado was rated at least CONSIDERABLE (3 of 5), including 5 days of HIGH (4 of 5) danger. CAIC increased public outreach during this period to help people understand the conditions and make informed decisions.

🏔️ Based on responses from 357 backcountry travelers, most respondents reported adjusting their plans because of avalanche conditions. Among those surveyed, 92% said they changed their plans, most often by choosing lower-angle terrain and avoiding higher-risk slopes.

These findings help CAIC better understand how people use avalanche information during dangerous conditions and how we can improve our public safety messaging.

Learn more: avalanche.state.co.us/blog

05/31/2026

June 1 marks the end of our daily avalanche forecasts for the 2025–26 season.

While we typically issue avalanche danger ratings from November 1 through May 31 (which is why you see the gray map on our website), our work doesn't stop here. Throughout the summer, we continue to monitor conditions, review observations, and update forecast summaries whenever conditions change or new information becomes available.

Most importantly, avalanche season doesn’t end just because our daily forecasts do. Avalanches remain possible anywhere snow exists, and if unusually dangerous conditions develop, we’ll let you know. You can learn about spring and summer avalanche safety at https://avalanche.state.co.us/summer-avalanche-safety.

Thank you to everyone who shared observations and helped keep Colorado’s backcountry community safe this season.

05/29/2026

🏔️ Forecast for Sat & Sun, May 30-31 ☀️

Avalanche danger is LOW (1 of 5) statewide this weekend. We’re heading into the final days of CAIC’s daily backcountry avalanche forecasts, and conditions are settling into a typical late-spring pattern. In many areas, the snow is slowly melting but warming and sunshine could bring wet-snow hazards back into play in the afternoon.

Start and end your day early, and most slopes will be safe to travel on. If you travel in steep, exposed terrain, avoid small pockets of wind-drifted snow or slopes with wet, heavy snow deeper than your ankles. Avoid travel under cornices, especially as the day warms.

📷 Field observation from the Grays and Torreys area on May 28: A backcountry traveler reported several natural Loose Wet avalanches on steep, east-facing alpine terrain visible from the standard Grays Peak trail. The slides appeared to originate from rock bands and confined gullies during daytime warming. No people were involved.

👀 Thank you to the observer for sharing this report. If you’re still getting out on the snow, please keep sending us what you’re seeing.

Public observations are especially important in early summer. After June 1, CAIC will continue to share updates through our website, mobile app, and social media when we receive new information or if unusually dangerous avalanche conditions are expected.

at colorado.gov/avalanche

05/25/2026

🏔️ Forecast for Tues, May 26 ☁️

LOW avalanche danger statewide on Tuesday. Generally safe conditions, but anytime there is snow in the mountains, you may be able to trigger small avalanches. Most will be harmless, but even a small avalanche can be dangerous in steep terrain above cliffs or rocks.

Pay attention to warming snow and isolated areas of drifted snow on steep, exposed slopes. Assess the terrain below you before committing to a slope. To manage wet avalanche concerns, move to shadier or lower-angle terrain before the snow becomes wet and unsupportable.

Unsettled weather on Tuesday may bring light snow and rain, but it is not expected to change the overall avalanche hazard. Cooler temperatures should help limit wet-snow issues in the short term.

📷: This Loose Wet avalanche on South Diamond Peak near Cameron Pass on May 25 likely released naturally from rollerballs and gained size as it ran down the main face.

at colorado.gov/avalanche

05/24/2026

🏔️ Forecast for Mon, May 25 🇺🇸

Another warm day is expected Monday before cooler weather arrives on Tuesday. Avalanche danger remains MODERATE (2 of 5) in parts of the Northern Mountains, where dry snow has lingered since last week’s storm. Elsewhere, the avalanche danger is LOW (1 of 5).

🌡️ With only a weak overnight freeze, wet avalanche conditions may develop earlier on Monday. In the Northern Mountains, snow from last week’s storm is warming for the first time, making Loose Wet avalanches more likely.

☀️ As temperatures rise through the day, wet avalanche danger will increase anywhere there is enough continuous snow. Right now, that means above-treeline and high-alpine terrain, where even small slides can carry serious consequences in steep terrain above rocks, cliffs, or terrain traps.

Timing will be especially important on Monday. If you are getting out to enjoy the holiday on snow, start early and finish early. Pay attention to changing snow conditions and watch for signs of instability, such as wet, sticky snow, rollerballs, or small natural avalanches. These are all signs it’s time to move to lower-angle terrain out of the sun or head for home.

📷: A skier triggered a small Wind Slab (D1), which triggered a Loose Wet avalanche that ran to the bottom of the Z Couloir on Braddock Peak near Cameron Pass (May 22).

A colder pattern later this week should help reduce wet avalanche concerns. Check the forecast before you go and enjoy the holiday!

05/23/2026

Forecast for Sunday, May 24: Memorial Day weekend is often seen as the unofficial start of summer, but if your plans take you into Colorado’s mountains, don’t forget it’s still avalanche season wherever you find snow.

Expect above-normal temperatures the next few days, with highs climbing into the upper 50s Sunday and low to mid-60s Monday at pass level. In parts of the Northern Mountains that picked up snow earlier this week, the avalanche danger is MODERATE (2 of 5) on Sunday. Elsewhere, the avalanche danger remains at LOW (1 of 5)

As temperatures warm, wet avalanche danger will increase anywhere snow exists. Most avalanches will be small, but even small slides can have serious consequences in steep terrain above cliffs, rocks, or terrain traps. The areas that received more recent snow will have more snow available to slide.

Typical spring travel advice still applies: start early and finish early. Watch for wet, sticky snow, rollerballs, or small natural avalanches. These are all signs it’s time to move to safer terrain.

Thanks to Matt L. for sharing observations and photos — including this one — of recent wet avalanche activity on Independence Pass from a tour on Friday. If you’re still getting out there, please continue to share what you’re seeing!

05/21/2026

🌤️ Forecast for Friday, May 22 🏔️

It’s shaping up to be a beautiful weekend in the mountains. Most slopes are safe from avalanches, with LOW (1 of 5) avalanche danger across the state.

With each warming period over the last month, we’ve seen an uptick in avalanche activity, and this weekend looks like another one of those periods. Avalanches are expected to be isolated, but remember: LOW danger does not mean no danger.

As temperatures warm Friday and through the weekend, the snow surface will become wet and unconsolidated, especially on steep slopes. Small Loose Wet avalanches will become more likely during the heat of the day.

In the Northern Mountains, isolated pockets of drifted snow may still linger on protected, above-treeline terrain.

Carefully assess the slopes you plan to travel, especially if you’re moving through steep or exposed terrain. Even a small avalanche can knock you off your feet and carry you through steep, high-consequence terrain.

If you’re heading into the alpine, start early and end early for the best travel conditions.

📷: Peak 1 above the town of Frisco May 14, 2026. On this day observers reported widespread fresh Loose Wet avalanche activity by mid-day.

at colorado.gov/avalanche

05/21/2026

🌞 Forecast for Wednesday, May 20 🏔️

MODERATE (2 of 5) avalanche danger remains above treeline in parts of Colorado’s Northern Mountains. Most avalanche activity on Thursday will involve small Loose Wet slides as temperatures warm through the day.

As the snow heats up:
• Watch for recent snow starting to shed on steep sunny slopes
• Move to lower-angle terrain before conditions become wet or unstable
• Avoid steep terrain near rocks, cliffs, creeks, and gullies

💨 At higher elevations, small pockets of wind-drifted snow may still exist below ridgelines and in alpine terrain. Stay off very steep slopes if you notice cracking in the snow or feel stiff, cohesive layers under your feet.

Elsewhere, most areas remain generally safe, but even small avalanches can be dangerous if they knock you off your feet in consequential terrain.

📷: These photos from last year in Rocky Mountain National Park (May 2025) show how wet snow can quickly shed from steep terrain during spring warming.

at colorado.gov/avalanche

05/19/2026

🏔️ Forecast for Weds, May 20 🌤️

MODERATE (2 of 5) avalanche danger lingers in parts of the Northern Mountains following this week’s storm. The most dangerous conditions are in alpine terrain in the Park Range and northern Front Range, including Rocky Mountain National Park, Indian Peaks, Loveland Pass and Berthoud Pass. Use the same caution anywhere that picked up around 8 inches or more of new or drifted snow.

The primary concern Wednesday is avalanches in recent storm snow. Look for and avoid wind-drifted slabs below ridgelines and near the tops of gullies and couloirs on steep north-facing slopes. Stay off very steep slopes if you notice cracking in the snow or feel stiff, cohesive layers under your feet.

As skies clear and temperatures warm, expect recent snow to quickly become wet and begin shedding off steep slopes as small Loose Wet avalanches. Even small slides can be dangerous if they push you into rocks, creeks or over cliffs.

Everywhere else remains at LOW (1 of 5) avalanche danger, but recent snowfall means isolated wind slabs are still possible in alpine terrain. If you find more than about 6 inches of fresh snow, assess the snow carefully before committing to steep consequential terrain.

Another solid overnight freeze is expected on Wednesday night, which should help preserve stable conditions into Thursday before a more significant warmup arrives this weekend.

📷: Fresh storm snow in the Central Mountains delivered up to 10 inches of new snow near Baldy and Emerald Bowl on May 18. Watch for wind-drifted snow and Loose Wet activity as skies clear and temperatures warm this week. Credit: Crested Butte Avalanche Center

GetTheForecast at colorado.gov/avalanche

05/18/2026

⛅️ Forecast for Tuesday, May 19 ❄️

Conditions will transition back toward spring on Tuesday. Expect MODERATE (2 of 5) avalanche danger above treeline (around 11,000 feet) in the Park Range and Rocky Mountain National Park, and anywhere you find about 8 inches or more of new or drifted snow.

Be especially cautious on steep slopes (>35 degrees) where winds have deposited snow below ridgelines and around terrain features. Look for and avoid firm, rounded pillows of snow on steep, wind-loaded slopes, especially above rocks, cliffs, or gullies.

Any break in the clouds on Tuesday could quickly warm the new snow and shift avalanche concerns back to Loose Wet avalanches. Last week, a similar storm produced wet avalanches within about 30 minutes of the sun coming out. Wet avalanche activity is expected to become more widespread on Wednesday, with warmer temperatures and clearer skies.

Areas that received less than about 6 inches of snow remain at LOW (1 of 5) danger. Plan around the melt-freeze cycle: start early and move off steep slopes before you’re sinking past your ankles in wet snow.

GetTheForecast at colorado.gov/avalanche

Colorado Avalanche Information Center - CAIC

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