Gunnison
AvalancheZach Guy · Nov 18, 2025 · Gunnison
Weather
cloud cover: scattered; wind loading: previous; rain elevation (ft): Below valley floor; recent snowfall (cm): 30; snow avail for transport: moderate amounts
Snowpack
New snow depths were 10" to 12" at 11,000'. Above treeline, the new snow was redistributed by yesterday's west to northwest winds into drifts ranging from 1 to 3 feet thick. On north aspects of Bellview, the new and drifted snow often sits on facets. The facets are occasionally above or below old melt-freeze crusts. There was a surface hoar event last night: I noticed 2-3 mm surface hoar up to at least 11,400' and didn't find it above treeline. . On mellow, north-facing terrain above treeline, we experienced five collapses and shooting cracks, typically in terrain with some amount of cross-loading. Collapses/cracks radiated about 30 to 40 feet; one rolled onto a steeper slope but didn't release. Slabs were 1 to 2 feet thick over the storm interface (11/16 facet layer).
Avalanche
A couple of small wind slabs ran naturally from shady alpine terrain during the storm.