Northern San Juan
SnowpackAnn Mellick · Mar 9, 2021 · Northern San Juan
Weather
High overcast with mild temperatures, but steady south wind kept it feeling cooler. A few snowflakes falling on RMP by 1pm.
Snowpack
The snowpack continues its slow transition towards spring. Northerly slopes at all elevations have stayed fairly cool and dry. I dug a profile on a due east aspect at 11, 500' and found a fairly solid snowpack with mostly dry snow. Water had only percolated through the upper ~30 cm of the snowpack. Tests scores included a CT 21 and an ECTX. The weakest layer continues to be the December facets. I am not overly concerned about this layer being triggered by upcoming snowfall. However, I am concerned about wet slabs running at the interface of the thick and firm slab over weak facets when we do get water running deeper into the snowpack this spring. My primary concern with incoming storm in this area is new snow and then subsequent sun/warming after the storm passes.