Avalanche — Northwestern San Juan Mountains, Colorado
2020-01-18 · Northwestern San Juan Mountains, Colorado
1
Direct deaths
Event narrative
A mix of broken ice and snow fell over a cliff and picked up additional loose snow before stopping in Red Mountain Creek. A photographer (participant in a guided back-country tour) was struck by the falling ice and snow and buried, resulting in a fatality.
Wider weather episode
An avalanche was triggered by falling ice that broke away from a large ice pillar. The snow and ice fell over a cliff, picking up more loose snow on the slope below.
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 866243. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.