Southern San Juan

Above-freezing temperatures Monday night extend to 11,000 feet in elevation and will create heightened risk of natural and human-triggered wet slab avalanches on many slopes Tuesday, particularly at lower elevations. A poor freeze means that even an early start may not be enough to keep you off of wet, unsupportable snow, but you can expect the hazard to ramp up first at lower elevations, following the sun from east to south to west and extending into higher elevations as the day progresses. Roller balls and wet, cohesionless surfaces are signs of unstable snow. Plan to be finished early, and make an exit if you see these danger signs on any slope, or if you start sinking past your ankles. 

 Avoid traveling beneath large cornices, as the warm temperatures will increase the risk of dangerous cornice falls or cornice-triggered avalanches on the slopes below. Smooth, supportable slopes without rocks or vegetation and with no steep terrain overhead provide safer choices.

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