Northern San Juan

An Avalanche Watch is in effect for portions of the San Juan Mountains including the La Plata Mountains east to Wolf Creek Pass and north to Lizard Head Pass, Silverton, Telluride and the Cimarrons. Very dangerous avalanche conditions will develop overnight on Tuesday. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended on Wednesday and could continue through Thursday.

You could trigger avalanches on most steep slopes. Strong southerly wind will drift snow and could trigger avalanches at upper elevations. Avalanches in the most recent snow could step down to lower weak layers. Avalanches can grow larger on easterly slopes where wind stiffened slabs of snow are thicker and broader across the terrain. Look for and avoid areas that look smooth and rounded. You are most likely to trigger avalanches from the margins of the slab include convex rollovers, shallow buried rocks, and just below ridgelines or cliffs. Low-angle slopes less than about 30 degrees without steep slopes above offer the safest riding options.