Northern San Juan

The most dangerous slopes are wind-loaded terrain features that face northwest through north to east near and above the treeline. You can identify wind-loaded slopes by the smooth, rounded, often wave-like snow surface appearance and hard hollow feel if you travel on them. If you trigger an avalanche here it will likely break on weak snow near the ground and could take you for a dangerous ride through a shallow snowpack.

A storm arrives Friday night lasting throughout most of the weekend. You can expect the same slopes to grow more dangerous as the snowfall accumulates. Avoid steep, wind-loaded slopes near and above the treeline to reduce your chances of being caught in an avalanche this weekend.