Northern San Juan

You can trigger an avalanche where you find fresh wind drifts of snow near and above treeline. A potent winter storm brings light snowfall and westerly winds to the area on Thursday night into Friday. Avalanche danger will rise as new snow accumulates. The most dangerous slopes are where you find stiff slabs of drifted snow on northwest to north through east-facing terrain. Wind-drifted snow is often found below ridgelines and in cross-loaded terrain features like gullies.

Look for winds actively loading leeward slopes and avoid traveling on stiff, lens-shaped, or pillowy snow surfaces. If you experience cracking in the new snow or feel hollow snow underneath you, retreat to lower-angled or wind-sheltered slopes.

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