Southern San Juan
SnowpackChris Bilbrey Mark Mueller · Apr 27, 2020 · Southern San Juan
Weather
Warm and sunny in the morning. Cumulus clouds developed by mid-day along with a steady breeze.
Snowpack
Despite last night's above freezing temperatures, snow surfaces were firm and supportable on all aspects this morning -- clear skies promoted strong radiational cooling. By mid-morning, corn snow conditions developed near treeline on all aspects. Slopes facing east through south became wet and punchy by early-afternoon and this weak structure was exacerbated on all below treeline slopes. Fresh rollerballs and small loose wet slides were limited to northerly and easterly-facing slopes near treeline and confined to snow on the surface sitting above a firm crust. No slides gouged into deeper layers. Quickly warming temperatures following a weak freeze kept us traveling with a heightened awareness and avoiding steeper slopes where the snowpack was shallow. Places where the snowpack remains 3 to 4 feet deep is the strongest and most supportable.