Southern San Juan

You can trigger an avalanche in the new snow. Avalanches will be larger on slopes where westerly winds drift snow. Avoid steep slopes where you observe 8 inches or more of new or drifted snow. Avalanches could be larger and more connected on slopes facing northwest to north through northeast, which harbor buried weak layers in the upper snowpack. Cracking in the new snow or collapsing are all signs of instability and indicate that you should move to a lower-angle slope.

Sun and warming could trigger some small loose avalanches from steep sunny slopes as the day warms.

You can find safer travel on slopes protected from the wind and less than 35 degrees in steepness.