With more than half of Colorado’s ski areas forecast to receive more than 20 inches of snowfall over the next five days, and the West Elk mountains near Crested Butte anticipated to receive more than three feet,

Teams with the Colorado Avalanche Information Center have been assessing snowpack around the state ahead of this week's snowstorm.

An atmospheric river bringing heavy snowfall to Colorado this week could be setting up a very dangerous avalanche cycle over the coming days. Forecasts of 1-3-plus feet of snow by Thanksgiving are a real probability.

The Colorado Avalanche Information Center is warning of possibly dangerous avalanche conditions with heavy snow expected to fall in the mountains and increased recreation over Thanksgiving week.