Northern San Juan

Snowpack

Ann Mellick · Apr 11, 2019 · Northern San Juan

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Weather

Overcast, cold and blustry. Light snowfall not really accumulating. Very strong northerly winds creating blizzard conditions above tl.

Snowpack

With prior very warm temperatures followed by a solid freeze yesterday into today, the lower snowpack is locked up. The main concern currently resides in the bonding of old/new snow layers. New snow (8-12" with drifts up to 24"+) overall well-bonded on most slopes below treeline. Strong northerly winds have swept leeward slopes clean- new snow cannot stick to old slick surfaces. The snow turned much slabbier and wind affected near treeline, with some localized cracking underfoot. I imagine there are some fresh and tender windslabs on leeward slopes near above treeline. Wind slabs will continue to build with persistent strong winds today.