Northern San Juan
SnowpackAmy Pertuz · Jan 5, 2023 · Northern San Juan
Weather
Clear skies and warmer temperatures today. Winds steady out of the NW with occasional gusts, but blowing snow limited to ridgetop
Snowpack
Storm snow since 11/27 has settled to 76cm in locations travelled. Storm snow is generally right side up but has a noticeable weak layer in the middle. A mid-storm 1F+ drizzle crust 3cm thick with associated facets was found buried 36cm below the surface and produced clean but stubborn failures in compression tests (CT 14, SP) and propagated in an ECT (ECTP 15). The 12/27 interface shows signs of healing, but failed with hard taps in tests. (CT 30, ECTP30) The dense slab of recent storm snow bodes well for the healing of these weak grains, Surfaces moistened today below treeline on sunny slopes, with sporadic rollerballs seen from rocky terrain. Dry loose sluffs seen from shadier BTL terrain. No collapsing today, occasional cracking localized to a few meters around my skis