The Colorado Avalanche Information Center issued the first widespread avalanche watches of the season Monday after four deaths in less than two weeks.

The watch began Monday at 6 a.m. and expires Tuesday at 8 a.m.

Officials said a strong storm will result in 4-8 inches of new snow on top of a very weak snowpack.

By Tuesday, large, dangerous avalanches will be easily triggered and some will happen naturally.

Man killed in avalanche on Berthoud Pass identified as Boulder resident

The worst conditions are expected late Monday night into Tuesday.

Tuesday’s danger is rated as a four out of five above and near treeline, and a three below treeline. On Monday, above and near treeline danger is rated as a three.

The watch is in effect for the Flat Tops, Front Range, Steamboat, Vail, Summit County, Sawatch, Aspen, Gunnison, north and south San Juan and the Sangre de Cristo zones.

Colorado has experienced several deadly avalanches during this ski and snowboard season, resulting in four deaths so far.

Dariusz Krol, a 57-year-old backcountry skier from Boulder County, was killed Saturday in an avalanche in the area of Berthoud Pass.

From Dec. 18-21, three experienced backcountry skiers were killed in slides.

The victims were longtime Crested Butte ski patroller Jeff Schneider and two Durango residents, 55-year-old Albert Perry and 51-year-old Dr. Jeff Paffendorf.

During that deadly weekend, Colorado saw 214 avalanches, 73 of which were caused by humans, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.

The avalanche that killed Schneider was triggered by him skiing just to the right of where six other skiers had just safely descended, according to a report.

Avalanche danger in Colorado considerable over winter holidays

Officials recommend residents avoid traveling on and under slopes steeper than 30 degrees north through east to southeast-facing aspects.

Skiers and snowboarders should look for signs of wind-loading on open slopes, below ridge lines and in high-elevation gullies. Cracking and collapsing are signs of danger.

Updates and danger ratings for the avalanche watches are available at avalanche.state.co.us.