Northern San Juan

Snowpack

Matt Steen · Jan 18, 2013 · Northern San Juan

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Weather

Clear, calm and warm temperatures.

Snowpack

The snowpack has formed a supportable melt-freeze crust on south to southwest facing slopes below treeline. Warm afternoon temperatures, along with exposure to direct sun, melted the top 5 to 10 cm of surface snow on these southerly slopes. Average height of snow on these slopes varied from 6 inches to nearly 3 feet. Recent winds drifted snow on ridgelines and exposed areas below treeline. The snowpack averaged 3.5 feet on east facing slopes below treeline. Faceted snow (fist to 4 finger) rest on a fist 10-15 cm (2-4mm) faceted snow grains at the bottom of the snowpack. No above treeline terrain was observed.