Northern San Juan

A Special Avalanche Advisory is in effect for areas surrounding Telluride, Ophir, and Lizard Head and Red Mountain Passes. Friday night a storm brings heavy snowfall. Dangerous avalanche conditions will develop by Saturday morning and last through the weekend. You can easily trigger a large and dangerous avalanche at all elevations.

Fresh slabs of snow on top of a weak, problematic snowpack increases your chance to trigger a dangerous avalanche. Avalanches triggered in the storm snow could break into weak snow layers at the ground on slopes facing west through north to southeast. Avalanches triggered in a wind-drifted area could break wider than you expect and be more challenging to escape. Avoid slopes steeper than about 30 degrees with around 8 inches of new snow, and without steep terrain above you. Heed the warning signs of cracking and collapsing, and stick to southerly-facing slopes below treeline for safer travel option.