Avalanche forecast

Northern San Juan

Colorado Avalanche Information Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

  • Persistent Slabs

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

Avalanche Summary

Look for and avoid wind-drifted areas. You can identify potentially dangerous spots by looking for fresh cornices, smooth pillows of snow, a hard hollow-sounding snow surface, or cracking in the freshly drifted snow. Winds will be very strong at the ridgetops. With soft snow still available for transport, you will be able to trigger avalanches in the freshly drifted snow. You are most likely to find dangerous conditions on easterly-facing slopes in higher-elevation areas, but you may also find fresh drifts extending lower into avalanche paths. If you trigger an avalanche in the wind-drifted snow, it can step down to deeper buried weak layers resulting in an inescapable slide.

You can find safer riding in wind-sheltered areas.

Regions covered