Northern San Juan

Snowpack

AIARE 3 · Mar 6, 2013 · Northern San Juan

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Weather

At 11,900 winds were moderate and gusty out of SW with a high temp of 1c and a low of -.5. High clouds increased in the early afternoon and cleared soon afterward.

Snowpack

HS varied from 130cm below TL to 220 above. Average HS above TL 170 cm. Widespread previous cross-loading and top-loading was observed on nearly all aspects in the alpine. Test pits showed general strengthening and rounding of the mid-pack layers, but continued weakness was noted at Feb. 8 interface, possibly the Jan 10 and 26 interfaces, and at the DH near the ground. In a HS 183 pit on a NNE aspect above TL, observed a PST 50/100 (end) down 109 on Feb. 8 interface. Concluded that weaknesses are still reactive and continuous from deeper to shallower areas where triggering could occur. Likelihood of triggering is decreasing but destructive potential of an avalanche would be very high.