May storm heightens avalanche risks
Colorado’s May snowstorm is increasing the state’s avalanche danger.
Ethan Greene of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center says that the new snow is landing on top of a thick hard pack of earlier snowfall. Strong winds can dislodge it and start avalanches. The danger may persist for several more weeks because much of the snow in the Rockies hasn’t started to melt.
More than a foot of snow has fallen in some parts of Colorado’s mountains since the storm began Sunday. Eight people have died in avalanches this year in the state.
