Northern San Juan
AvalancheAnn Mellick Jeff Davis · Dec 26, 2019 · Northern San Juan
Weather
Sunny, cool, and breezy.
Snowpack
Overall, the 16" of new snow from the Holiday Storm bonded fairly well with old snow surface. Southerly winds blew at efficient transport speeds on Christmas Day, readily moving ample light new snow. This formed wind slabs of varying hardness and thickness near and above treeline. Cornices grew along lee northerly ridgelines as well. Cornice drops, only yielded minor snow slides (D1) from very steep terrain. Yet again, the new snow load was insufficient to overload the existing snowpack.
Avalanche
Widespread sluffing (loose dry avalanches) in the new snow in steep terrain at most all aspects and elevations. All D1