Southern San Juan

On Sunday, heavy snowfall and strong winds will form dangerous slabs of snow one to two feet thick above various weak snow layers. The majority of avalanches triggered by a rider or machine, or ones that run naturally are expected to break below the new snow. However, avalanches triggered on a wind-loaded slope have the best chance to break wider than you expect, and could step down to weak layers several feet deep producing a much larger avalanche. Avoid slopes steeper than about 30 degrees where you see cracking in the snow, hear audible collapses, or see recent avalanches.

Lower in elevation, the snowpack has become very weak and cohesionless. Triggering a smaller avalanche in the new snow may gouge deeper into older weak layers making a more significant pile of snow at the bottom. Low-angled slopes without steeper slopes directly above you offer safer travel options.