Southern San Juan

You can trigger an avalanche where you find areas of wind-drifted snow above weak early-season snow near the ground. Drifted snow will feel stiff and have rounded, smooth, and pillow-like features. Look for and steer clear of these features on northerly and easterly-facing terrain. You could trigger an avalanche from a distance and from below so give steep overhead slopes a wide berth. You can find safer travel options at lower elevations, on wind-sheltered slopes less than 30 degrees, and slopes without overhead hazards.

Expect avalanche hazard to increase overnight Wednesday into Thursday.