Southern San Juan

Northerly winds drifted recent snowfall into thicker slabs of snow at upper elevations. Avalanches could grow larger in size and break broader across the terrain on slopes where drifting is around eight inches deep. Steer around drifted areas below ridgelines and in gullies with a lens-shaped appearance, and choose an alternative route if you see cracking below your feet.

Triggering an avalanche in weak snow below a thick slab becomes more difficult with each passing day, but if you do, the consequences remain serious. It is easier to impact weak snow layers and trigger a large avalanche where the snowpack is thin near exposed rocks, on the backside of steep rollovers, or below cliff bands. Safer riding options are found in wind-sheltered areas around 30 degrees in steepness.