Southern San Juan

A large winter storm begins to impact the Southern Mountains on Monday lasting through Wednesday. Expect the avalanche danger to rise quickly as heavy snow and strong winds build dangerous slabs of snow, and overwhelm weak snow layers.

Recent natural avalanches triggered by an increase in drifting speak to the vulnerability of weak snow layers in the upper snowpack despite the lack of direct feedback such as cracking or audible collapses. If you find the shallow area of the slope, you could trigger a large avalanche – especially on slopes steeper than about 35 degrees. Common trigger spots exists near rock outcroppings, on steep rollovers, and beneath ridges and cliffs. Avalanches on slopes with freshly drifted slabs can break wide and several feet deep producing a more dangerous slide. Avoid steeper areas above treeline if you notice the snow surface transition from soft to stiff, or where you see smooth, rounded pillows of snow.