The Park Range and Flat Tops areas are under an avalanche warning according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.

The warning is in effect through 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 29 and began the previous evening and includes all areas in Routt County north of Rabbit Ears Pass on U.S. Highway 40 and the Flat Tops area southwest of Routt County.

Avalanche conditions in the Flat Tops, Park Range and Elk Mountains are ranked a four out of five on the CAIC’s scale, or considered high above and near tree line. Below tree line, danger is still considerable, or a three on the scale.

“You can easily trigger a large and dangerous avalanche that can bury and kill on steep slopes with more than about 12 inches of new snow,” reads the CAIC website. “A natural avalanche cycle is expected in the next 24 hours above and near treeline, and travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. Slides have the potential to break near the ground and travel farther than you might expect.”

The website states that northerly-facing slopes are the most dangerous. The CAIC suggests not traveling on avalanche terrain and to stay on low-angle terrain if there are signs of unstable snow, such as cracking or collapsing.