Northern San Juan
SnowpackAnn Mellick Susan Hale · Jan 10, 2014 · Northern San Juan
Weather
Cold, snowy, wintry, blustery.
Snowpack
We have received LOTS of new snow over the past several days. Snowfall was incremental initially, with high end or above fx amounts falling over the past 24 hrs. Snowfall rates S1 to S2 throughout the day left us with an additional 4 inches by 3 PM. Most areas have 18" of new snow from the past several days. Drifts are up to 24". New snow has fallen on a very weak base, though we believe incremental nature has kept a natural cycle at bay so far (below treeline). However, we are nearing the tipping point. Obscured skies made obs of the alpine zone impossible, though strong winds combined with new snowfall have likely triggered naturals there. LOTS of collapsing while traveling- with almost every step (some localized, some large and rumbling). Localized cracking around skis.