Northern San Juan
AvalancheAnn Mellick Susan Hale · Nov 24, 2015 · Northern San Juan
Weather
Sunny and mild with increasing southwest winds. A few wispy clouds appeared by noon. Hwy Pass level temps were around 38F.
Snowpack
The snowpack in the alpine zone reflects the severe battering it received from strong northerly winds last week. (N-NE aspects seemed more affected in contrast to NW). The snow above treeline is mostly hard slab of varying thickness or sastrugi. Small near surface facets lie on the surface of many of these slabs. While not a problem now, subsequent snowfall will have a hard time bonding to these slick surfaces. Below treeline areas vary greatly depending on aspect. Shadier slopes hold mostly unconsolidated facets (almost no slab left), while sunnier slopes are sporting stout sun crusts (2-5 cm thick). Sunny slopes at all elevations (particularly southerly) have lost significant volume during the past week. Near treeline areas display a blend a characteristics from above and below treeline areas: old wind slabs in open areas and cohesionless facets in others (often directly adjacent to one another).
Avalanche
We continue to see more slides that ran during the last storm event (Nov. 16-17). Entered separately as the 17th.