Northern San Juan

Snowpack

Susan Hale · Apr 9, 2011 · Northern San Juan

Weather

Encountered 2"/hr snow rates with high winds and poor visibility. These have been coming in waves, but depositing an inch or more as they move thru. Gusty winds are visibly moving LOTS of snow around at all elevations. At highway level, southerly winds avg 25-30 with some gusts likely in 40's.

Snowpack

Snow depths are variable - alternatly wind stripped or loaded. Movement of warm, moist snow is causing large dense drifts and monster cornices are growing larger. With the strong southerly winds,expect Northerly aspects to be gaining ever more volume. Yesterday afternoon's windy/snowy RMP tour near and below treeline on NNE aspects revealed up to 20+ inches accumulation from recent storm snow (assume there's much more today with continued strong south winds). On that tour, snow seemed fairly well bonded to the old harder surface. Some cracking under foot on E-SE aspects (underlying thin crust caving in). While skiing the NE aspect, there was one instance of a very small 4"-5" crown breaking out under my skis at and interface of the 4/7 storm and 4/8 snowfall. Visibility not good enough for obs up high. Just lots of snow on the move.