Northern San Juan

Fresh cold snow, deeper wind-drifted areas, and the much-anticipated new snow shedding once the sun makes an appearance will require managing two flavors of avalanche hazards in the mountains on Sunday. On east through south to west-facing slopes at upper elevations, expect wet snow sluffing on slopes around 35 degrees or steeper – even during brief pokes of sunshine. Wetting of the new snow can happen quickly in the spring – first on easterly-facing slopes, then following the sun to the west throughout the day. Avoid traveling on or below steep, sunny slopes if you see rollerballs or pinwheels, or the new snow gets sticky.

On northerly-facing slopes above treeline, it will be easier to trigger an avalanche where you find drifted slabs around 12 inches thick over a hard, refrozen snow surface. Broader slab formation likely exists below ridgelines and in cross-loaded gullies, and where avalanches may be larger. If you observe cracking in the snow surface, it means you are approaching a wind-loaded area and to consider an alternative terrain choice.