Northern San Juan
AvalancheAnn Mellick Jeff Davis · Jan 13, 2016 · Northern San Juan
Weather
Sunny and mild with light NW wind.
Snowpack
Below treeline the snowpack feels quite settled with new surface crusts forming on sunny slopes with last 2 days of warmer temps. Last week's low density snow is consolidating on sunnier slopes and faceting (weakening) on shady ones. All slopes near and below tl have supportive midpack slab (Christmas week storm series), though this continues to sit on early season facets in most locales. Basal facets have becoming less reactive and are slowly rounding, but the weak structure remains.
Avalanche
Minor sluffing (D1) of last week's low-density snow from steep terrain with daytime warming.