Northern San Juan

Layers of stiff, wind-drifted snow have buried weaker layers of snow. You could trigger an avalanche that breaks on old, weak layers. You will find these layers below ridgelines and in cross-loaded terrain features.

Above-average daytime temperatures mean wet surface snow at lower elevations. You could trigger an avalanche where wet snow sits above cold weak snow. Avalanches could break as connected slabs and gouge into old snow. Loose avalanches could also gouge deep and entrain lots of snow. If you sink into wet snow above your boot tops, see small loose slides release from rocks, or start seeing snow glop onto your equipment it's time to retreat to north-facing terrain or slopes less than about 35 degrees steep.