Avalanche — West Elk And Sawatch Mountains, Colorado
April 28, 2020 · NOAA Storm Events record
Direct deaths
1
Direct injuries
0
Property damage
—
Area
West Elk And Sawatch Mountains
Event narrative (NOAA)
The avalanche began as a wet-loose avalanche triggered by a backcountry skier. The wet-loose avalanche was only a few inches deep, and spread to 150 feet wide at the widest point. The avalanche carried the skier downhill and over a cliff, triggering a second wet-loose avalanche that eventually pinned the skier against trees resulting in a fatality.
Other notable avalanche events in Colorado
S & Se Grand / W Central & Sw Boulder / Gilpin / Clear Creek / Summit / N & W Park Counties Above 9000 Feet · April 20, 20135 killedWest Elk And Sawatch Mountains/Taylor Park / W Lake / W Chaffee / Wc To Ec Gunnison · February 6, 19993 killedNorthwestern San Juan Mountains · February 1, 20213 killedGore And Elk Mountains/Central Mountain Valleys · March 13, 20072 killedS & E Jackson / Larimer / N & Ne Grand / Nw Boulder Counties Above 9000 Feet · January 1, 20062 killedGore And Elk Mountains/Central Mountain Valleys · March 17, 20002 killed
Source: NOAA/NCEI Storm Events Database. Deaths and injuries are those NOAA classifies as direct. Damage is the reporting office's estimate at the time and is not inflation-adjusted. This is a catalogue record, not a forecast.