Northern San Juan

Three to six inches of snow fell Sunday, and westerly wind drifted the new snow into piles twelve to eighteen inches deep. Observers Monday reported cracking in the drifted snow, but the new load did little to change the overall hazard. Small avalanches in the new snow could step down on some slopes.

Strong winds over the weekend built thick, cohesive slabs of snow over weak layers in the top meter of the snowpack. If you find a shallow spot on a slope steeper than around 35 degrees, you can trigger an avalanche. Trigger points include shallow buried rocks, convex rollovers, or near cliffs or trees. Avoid traveling where the snow surface looks smooth and pillow-like or where the surface is stiff or hollow sounding. Recent observers reported little signs of instability before triggering an avalanche. Identifying and avoiding suspect slopes is the best way to avoid triggering a slide. Mild weather over the next few days will make these slabs more stubborn to trigger.

Watch for warming snow on sunny slopes in the afternoon. Avoid steep, sunny slopes if you observe rollerballs or pinwheels. Safer traveling options exist below treeline and on lower angled slopes protected from recent winds.