Southern San Juan
SnowpackChris Bilbrey · Feb 4, 2019 · Southern San Juan
Weather
Warm and wet with temperatures in the upper 20's. Snowfall began around 1100 and continued off and on throughout the day. Around 1430, a graupel (4 to 6 mm) event lasted for about 20 minutes. 1 to 2 inches of new snow observed in the valley bottom, 6 to 8 inches on wind-sheltered slopes and up to 16 inches in wind-drifted areas near and above treeline.
Snowpack
New snow was dense and generally bonding well to underlying snow and crust that formed during recent dry spell. Moderate to strong winds near and above treeline were transporting snow into deeper drifts on leeward slopes. South-facing slopes were primarily wind-scoured while southeast-facing slopes had cross-loaded drifting. Experienced a few isolated collapses while walking along ridge top above deeper drifts. New wind-drifts appeared stubborn but was able to get a few small test slopes to break below skis primarily on east-facing slopes containing a crust/ facet combo. Non-propagating results in multiple isolated column test below new snow on either faceted crust or NSF layer. Facets and depth hoar near the ground appear to be rounding but still produced propagating results in ECTs with moderate and hard force. On slopes that ran during mid-Jan cycle, new snow appeared to be bonding well to weaker snow above bed surface. No sluffing noted on steeper treed slopes below treeline.