Southern San Juan

Light snow fell Friday, favoring areas north of Red Mountain Pass, in the Cimarrons and Owl Pass. Southwest wind accompanied the storm, drifting snow to lee slopes. West and northwest winds continue to drift snow on Saturday. Strom totals look to be in the three to five-inch range. The new and wind-loaded snow creates deeper drifts but not enough to increase the overall hazard.

You can trigger a large and dangerous avalanche on northerly and east-facing slopes steeper than 30 degrees near and above treeline. On these slopes, cohesive slabs of snow rest on top of weak snow layers near the ground. Trigging an avalanche will break one to two feet deep and could grow large enough to bury or injure you. Shooting cracks and audible collapses are indicators of unstable snow below you. Southerly-facing slopes, areas sheltered from the wind, and lower-angled slopes without overhead hazards offer safer travel options.