Northern San Juan

Heavy snowfall Friday night and on Saturday will increase the avalanche danger near and above treeline. The most problematic slopes are those with more than about 8 inches of new snow. It will be easier to trigger an avalanche where localized stronger winds form deeper drifts above the old, refrozen snow surface. Avalanches could break wider than you expect on northerly and easterly-facing slopes where southwest then northwest winds contribute to broader slab formation. If you observe cracking in the snow surface, it likely means you are approaching a deeper drifted area and to consider an alternative terrain choice.

If the sun makes a grand appearance Saturday afternoon, the new snow may quickly get wet, lose cohesion, and start sluffing on southerly aspects.