Southern San Juan

An Avalanche Watch is in effect for very dangerous avalanche conditions to develop on Tuesday. Heavy snow and strong winds will result in large natural avalanches and avalanches that are very easy for people to trigger. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended on Tuesday.

You can easily trigger avalanches large enough to bury you where you find about ten inches or more of drifted or freshly fallen storm snow. Drifted northerly and easterly slopes, where the snow is deeper, are where you are more likely to trigger a dangerous avalanche. Slopes with fresh cornice growth, sculpted features, or smooth, rounded pillows of snow are examples of wind-drifted areas where you can trigger an avalanche. Stick to slopes less than about 30 degrees without steep terrain above or lower-elevation wind-sheltered areas for safer options.