Northern San Juan
AvalancheBill Nalli · Nov 17, 2019 · Northern San Juan
Weather
Clear and calm. It has been over two weeks without new snow and relatively mild temperatures. Weather conditions have promoted faceted crystal growth.
Snowpack
The very shallow snowpack has been exposed to clear skies and cold overnight temperatures for over two weeks. The perfect recipe for faceted crystal growth. Snow depths range from a foot deep to bare ground. The deepest areas are located on north through east aspects near and above treeline on the north half of the San Juan's. Southwest, south and southeast aspects have fully melted back to bare ground. As you travel south past Red Mt. Pass, snow depths on the north and east aspects get shallower and are almost non existent south of Coal Bank Pass. The deepest areas I've found are up Canyon Creek, east of Ouray. The north and east aspects there have 10 to 12 inches of 2 to 4 millimeter, fist hard facets (pic 1 and 2). There is enough coverage there that avalanches are likely with our next significant snow load.
Avalanche
none