Southern San Juan

The avalanche danger is slowly decreasing, but you can still trigger a dangerous avalanche which breaks under recent storm snow or in wind-drifted terrain features. A historic storm which generated massive avalanches happened less than a week ago, and the snowpack is still adjusting. The most dangerous areas are near and above-treeline easterly slopes, but with wind direction shifting from northerly to southerly direction, and low-density snow available for transport, expect wind-drifted features on many upper-elevation slopes. Look for and avoid slopes with large cornices above them or with evidence of recent drifting such as smooth pillows of snow, stiff surface conditions, or sculpted surface textures. Avalanches which you trigger in a surface layer could step down into deeper weak layers, creating a very dangerous slide. Lower-elevation areas and slopes less than about thirty degrees without steep slopes above offer safer options.