Northern San Juan
AvalancheJeff Davis · Mar 26, 2017 · Northern San Juan
Weather
Wet and stormy spring morning. Very little wind was observed. Temperatures rose steadily throughout the day.
Snowpack
A solid 12 inches of new snow fell overnight in the Telluride area. The new snow fell on dry snow from Friday storm on shady slopes and at higher elevations and on a crust on slopes affect by Saturdays sunshine and warm temps. The snow was reactive on the crust layer and multiple human and natural loose snow avalanches were observed. Though they started as a point release many of the avalanches were large enough to bury a human. Avalanches quickly gained mass as they traveled down the slope. Snow was wet and heavy at lower elevations. It was amazing how dramatically the snow changed with elevation and between laps.
Avalanche
Multiple natural and human triggered avalanche observed. Avalanche were wet at low elevations.