Northern San Juan
SnowpackJeff Davis Chris Bilbrey · Mar 18, 2020 · Northern San Juan
Weather
Snowfall picked up in the afternoon. Southerly winds strong to moderate. Temperatures mild and dropped with elevation.
Snowpack
Orographic lift drove snowfall throughout the day. Estimated ~ 4" of dense snow fell in the alpine. Southwest winds were strong enough to move the new snow onto leeward slopes and build reactive cornices. Some drifts up to 12" deep by early afternoon. The snow was reactive on steeper slopes, but appeared to bond well to lower angle northerly slopes in the alpine. On sunny and lower elevations slopes a firm crust sits below the new snow. By the time we left the backcountry it is hard to know how the new snow was bonding to that firm surface as only an inch had accumulated.