Southern San Juan

Northwesterly winds Sunday are strong enough to transport snow from Friday's storm. Look for and avoid hollow-sounding snow surfaces or drifts eight inches or more. On northerly and east-facing slopes near and above treeline, avalanches in the drifted snow will likely step down to the ground, breaking one to two feet deep, and could be large enough to injure or bury you. Give suspect slopes a wide birth, as you could trigger avalanches from a distance or below.

Shooting cracks and audible collapses are indicators of unstable snow. Southerly-facing slopes, areas sheltered from the wind, and lower-angled slopes without overhead hazards offer safer travel options.