Northern San Juan
AvalancheColin Mitchell · Jan 13, 2018 · Northern San Juan
Weather
Sunny skies and rapidly rising temperatures.
Snowpack
The snowpack is still building on the south side of Silverton. Continuous coverage now exists on all aspects down to about 9,000'. Average HS at pass level is around 12" on northerly aspects, and less than 6" elsewhere. NW-N-NE aspects were holding some early season facets before the storm, otherwise, last week's snows fell on bare ground. Rapid warming today and tomorrow may release some small loose snow slides from steep, shaded roadside slopes like Deer Creek and Coal Bank, but any activity will have little to no effect on highway operations. Low volume and terrain roughness should prevent any slides from bigger terrain, like West Lime Creek, from reaching the road.
Avalanche
A few rollerballs and very tiny loose snow releases from rocky road cuts, otherwise, no activity or signs of instability observed.