Avalanche — Northwestern San Juan Mountains, Colorado

2019-02-19 · Northwestern San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Event narrative

A large avalanche released in the Temptation area in the Bear Creek drainage as a back country skier was skinning up the slopes. The skier was caught in the avalanche and buried under several feet of snow. The avalanche broke around 75 feet on an east-facing slope at an elevation of approximately 11,800 feet. It ran 2000 vertical feet to the valley floor. It deposited debris approximately 1000 feet long, 100 feet wide and 30 feet deep.

Wider weather episode

A large avalanche released in the Temptation area in the Bear Creek drainage as a back country skier was skinning up the slopes. This avalanche occurred near the town of Telluride, Colorado.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 798371. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.