Avalanche forecast

Northern San Juan

Colorado Avalanche Information Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
Out of date — this forecast expired last year.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
    Likely
    Size
    2–3
  • Loose Wet

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

Avalanche Summary

You can trigger large and dangerous avalanches where recent snow accompanied by strong winds formed cohesive slabs over weak layers. Avalanches will be larger where winds have drifted snow into deep, widely connected slabs on leeward and cross-loaded slopes. The most dangerous slopes face the north half of the compass, where you could trigger an avalanche in the new snow that steps down into deeper buried weak layers, breaking deeper and broader than expected. You can find safer travel on slopes less than about 30 degrees and in areas that are protected from the wind.

Strong sunshine and warmer temperatures on Sunday increase the chances of loose wet avalanches. Avoid traveling on or under sunny slopes during the heat of the day and watch for pinwheels and rollerballs as an early warning sign of unstable snow.

Regions covered