Northern San Juan

Snowpack

Ann Mellick Matt Steen · Mar 27, 2013 · Northern San Juan

Weather

We had mostly clear skies this morning with increasing cumulus clouds through the day. Temps were quite warm and winds were light.

Snowpack

This was the first truly warm day for a while, thus there was lots of wet loose action in the recent storm snow (4-7" from last weekend). The most action was on sunny slopes with steep rock outcroppings. New snow "sheeted" off the old crust easily with ski pressure in steep south and easterly terrain. Lots of gooey snow, especially in below treeline treed areas. The melt freeze crust buried below last weekend's storm remained supportable to skis on east through southeast facing slopes near and above treeline. Warm temperatures and direct sun on southerly facing slopes below treeline turned the snowpack isothermal. North facing slopes above treeline appeared cold and dry with variable wind slabs, though we did not travel on these aspects. Overall the snow is transitional and variable. Dust is becoming increasingly visible, though is not nearly the problem we have seen in years past.