Southern San Juan
AvalancheChris Bilbrey · Feb 11, 2019 · Southern San Juan
Weather
Light snow to begin the day with one to two inches since early morning hours. Light snow gave way to broken skies and a gradual shift from southwest to northwest winds. Moderate winds where we traveled and observed snow banners of most higher peaks in the early afternoon from an shift in winds and increase in wind speed.
Snowpack
Lots of wind transport. Surfaces below, near, and above treeline have been impacted by the wind. Many slopes near and above treeline were a mixture of breakable wind-crust, stiff wind-board (hollow drum sound), or chalky texture. Wind-sheltered slopes still harbor softer snow. We experienced a few audible collapses on southeast and east-facing slopes but isolated to flat, open slopes. Snowpack in this area appears more consolidated below treeline with more slope variability snow depth in the alpine. Consistent wind-scouring and wind-drifting at higher elevations is allowing large grain facets and depth hoar above the ground to persist. However, stiff wind-slabs near the surface and a cohesive slab below are making it more difficult to impact deeper weak layers in stability test.
Avalanche
No new avalanche activity from today observed.