Southern San Juan

Avalanche

Mark Mueller · Mar 4, 2021 · Southern San Juan

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Weather

Overcast skies with light snow. 3" new during the day and a storm total of 9" by late afternoon at the CAIC Snow Study Plot. Temperatures were in the upper teens. Southwest winds decreased as the day progressed, 10-15 mph with gusts in the mid 20s during the afternoon.

Snowpack

No signs of instability on NW-N-SE aspects near and below treeline. No observed evidence of fresh slab formation. The new snow seemed to bond well to the windboard and melt-freeze crust old snow surfaces. Ski tests (NE near treeline) produced harmless loose snow activity within the new snow. Tests elsewhere produced no signs of instability.

Avalanche

Visibility improved late in the afternoon, but no fresh natural avalanche activity was observed.