Avalanche forecast

Northern San Juan

Colorado Avalanche Information Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired last year. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–2.5

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

Avalanche Summary

You could trigger an avalanche where you find cohesive slabs sitting over buried weak layers on slopes steeper than about 35 degrees. The most dangerous slopes are where you find a shallower snowpack on a steep and shady slope. On these slopes, avalanches that fail in the upper snowpack could possibly step down into deeper weak layers, creating a larger and more dangerous avalanche. Avoid trigger points, like convex rolls and shallow spots near rocky outcrops.

Blue skies and warm temperatures increase the chances of small wet snow avalanches on sunny slopes. Loose wet avalanches often release below rocks or cliffs and gain mass as they move downhill. Avoid steep, sunny, snow-covered slopes during the heat of the day.

Recent strong winds also built large overhanging cornices along ridgelines. Give cornices a wide berth as they can break further back than you expect, and could collapse spontaneously from warming.

Regions covered