Southern San Juan

An Avalanche Watch is in effect for Tuesday evening through Wednesday. Heavy snow and strong winds will result in large natural avalanches, and avalanches very easy for backcountry travelers to trigger. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended during this period. 

You should expect and prepare for avalanche danger to rapidly increase throughout the day on Tuesday. You can trigger avalanches on steep slopes where you find new snow or wind-drifted snow that forms a cohesive slab. The most dangerous slopes face north through east. If you observe cracking or collapsing as you travel over the new snow, avoid slopes steeper than about 30 degrees. Be on the lookout for snow blowing onto leeward slopes and avoid areas of drifted snow below ridges and on convex rollovers.