Northern San Juan

Avalanche

Jeff Davis Chris Bilbrey · Apr 14, 2020 · Northern San Juan

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Weather

Clear Skies, below-freezing temperatures, and light to moderate northwest wind.

Snowpack

3 inches of snow fell overnight in the Red Mountain Pass area and low temperatures dropped below 0 degrees (F) for multiple hours. Cold temperatures have put wet avalanche hazard at bay for the time being. The snowpack was described today as having similarities to a Slushy or Slurpee that melted a little, then put back in the freezer and refrozen. Needless to say, the snow surface was firm under the new snow. The only avalanche hazard we observed today were small, isolated pockets of wind-drifted snow about 6-8 inches deep and reactive to a rider's weight on the old refrozen snow underneath. Though we were out of the backcounty early, only snow surfaces below treeline showed any signs of warming. Wind and cool temperatures kept the new snow dry at upper elevations.

Avalanche

No new avalanche activity observed today.