Northern San Juan
AvalancheKrista Beyer · Apr 28, 2025 · Northern San Juan
Weather
26th and 27th: Gusty strong south winds (around 12,000 ft: 25-35 mph gusting to 60mph). Max temperatures the 26th were measured in the upper 30s at 12,000 ft and lower 30s on the 27th. Minimum temps were in the upper 20s. Both days began clear with building afternoon clouds. Today, the 28th: West winds 10-15 mph gusting to 30 mph. Max temperatures around 12,000 ft were around 25 degrees, and overnight freezing temperatures dropped to 12 degrees. Oh yeah, we also received a trace of snow overnight, although if you weren't out in the morning, you may have missed it.
Snowpack
Exposed windward slopes, even if south-facing under blue skies, have failed to soften with the recent winds. The strong winds the past two days have also created wind-buffed surfaces on exposed north slopes. Slopes sheltered from the wind, whether leeward or lower elevation valleys, have continued to thaw each day despite the strong winds. With last night's hard freeze and today's colder daytime temperatures, thawing surfaces were limited to the top inch of snow just before the afternoon clouds rolled in. Weaker freezing the previous two days (26th and 27th), only about 20cm of the surface refroze over moist grains, and enough of the surface softened by early afternoon to create trapdoor conditions in isolated sheltered areas at pass level.
Avalanche
Strong winds did not have much cold snow to work with the past two days, so instead of building any wind slabs, they managed to suspend wet problems on south slopes. It would be hard to trigger an avalanche today. Firm windward slopes posed a greater danger in their "slide-for-life" potential. However, even firm slopes were edgeable and made for good boot-packing conditions.