Northern San Juan

Recent snowfall continues to settle, and newly formed slabs are becoming more stubborn. Still, you might trigger an avalanche where you find stiffer, thicker slabs in wind-drifted snow above treeline. Strong southwest winds on Sunday likely stiffened and thickened slabs on north to northeast through east-facing slopes. Be on the lookout for cracking, collapsing, and whumpfing as a sign that new snow is cohesive enough to slide, and you should stick to lower-angled slopes.

A major winter storm arrives on Tuesday, which will dramatically change conditions and increase the avalanche danger.