Northern San Juan

A Special Avalanche Advisory is in effect for areas surrounding Telluride, Ophir, and Lizard Head and Red Mountain Passes. Heavy snowfall created dangerous avalanche conditions that will last through Sunday. You can easily trigger a large and dangerous avalanche at upper elevations.

The most problematic places are wind-loaded terrain features near and above treeline. Triggering an avalanche in a broad, wind-drifted area may break wider, deeper into weaker snow layers below, and be larger than you expect. You can identify drifted areas by their smooth, rounded, often wave-like snow surface appearance, and the snow surface may feel stiffer. Be wary of steeper slopes with drifted slabs around 6 inches thick, and choose a different slope if you see shooting cracks or hear audible collapses. Southerly-facing slopes and lower-angled terrain without steeper slopes directly above you offer safer travel options.