Northern San Juan
AvalancheJeff Davis Ann Mellick · Apr 11, 2018 · Northern San Juan
Weather
Cloudy and cold during the duration of the tour, but the sun come out on the drive home. A fast system produced a brief period of snow, but no accumulation. Temperatures were chilly in the AM, but warmed significantly this afternoon.
Snowpack
Cold overnight temperatures created a firm crust on all near and below treeline slopes to start the day, but as temperatures warmed and the sun came out the surface broke down. Many low elevation slopes are or close to isothermal. Above treeline patches of dry snow/graupel were observed, but mostly at the bottoms of avalanche paths. Many start zones in the alpine remain firm and chalky. On shady slopes in the alpine, cold weak-layers persist under a firm slab. It would take a significant load to affect one of these layers, but to me, it seems like north facing slopes in the alpine are the only places we could see Wet Slab avalanches, Slab being the key, as the snowpack continues to transition into spring. No cracking or Collapsing. No new avalanche activity observed.
Avalanche
No new avalanche activity