Southern San Juan

Snowpack

Matt Huber · Jan 23, 2021 · Southern San Juan

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Weather

Heavy snowfall and strong southwest winds most of the morning.

Snowpack

Strong winds and drifting snow made accurate storm totals difficult, about 1.5 inches of SWE (snow water equivalency) had fallen in 12 hours. Drifting snow on lee aspects near treeline formed 4 finger+ to pencil- windslabs that were between 75 to 100 cm's deep, failing mainly at the new snow interface but at times breaking at the 1/19 facet/crust/ surface hoar layer. By early afternoon, enough new snow had fallen that shooting cracks up to 15 meters were visible on steep slopes below treeline as well.