Southern San Juan
SnowpackChris Bilbrey · Dec 8, 2022 · Southern San Juan
Weather
Clear and sunny. Moderate winds were moving snow in the alpine during the morning. By mid-morning, winds subsided and a light breeze felt along ridgetops. New snow totals ranged 12 to 16 inches depending on location.
Snowpack
No shortage of loud rumbling collapses and shooting cracks on our travels. The new snow on southerly-facing slopes was setting up quickly from sunny skies and warmer temperatures. We noticed a few tiny rollerballs in steeper areas that see direct sunshine, but not posing a new hazard or problem. Lots of surface texturing in the alpine from strong winds during the storm. Some slopes looked like waves in the ocean. Southerly and westerly snow fetches above treeline are still full of snow and this could promote additional drifting if wind speeds increase in the coming days.