Crystal River under flood advisory

REDSTONE ” A flood advisory is in effect for the Crystal River above Redstone, according to the National Weather Service.

Unseasonably mild weather is resulting in the rapid melting of snow, and the rising river may cause minor flooding in low-lying areas, the weather service cautioned. Redstone is located south of Carbondale in the Crystal River Valley.

The advisory for the Crystal will continue until Thursday afternoon. At 7 a.m. Monday, the river was at 4 feet and was expected to rise to 4.7 feet by Wednesday morning. Flood stage for the Crystal is 5 feet, according to the weather service.

Flood advisories are also in effect for the Colorado River near Cameo in Mesa County, in far western Colorado; the Eagle River below Gypsum in Eagle County; the Yampa River at Steamboat Springs; the Elk River in Routt County and the Yampa River below Craig.

The weather service urges caution when walking near waterways. Two feet of water is enough to float most vehicles, the weather service said.

Fueling the meltdown is continuing balmy weather in western Colorado and the Roaring Fork Valley. Highs of 65 to 75 are forecast in Aspen on Monday and Tuesday, cooling to 55 to 65 on Wednesday. There is a chance of thunderstorms in the forecast this week, starting Tuesday.

In the lower valley, including Carbondale and Glenwood Springs, near-record highs ” in the 80s ” are forecast Monday afternoon. Highs in the 80s are expected again Tuesday, dropping into the 70s on Wednesday, according to the weather service.