Southern San Juan
SnowpackChris Bilbrey · Apr 20, 2020 · Southern San Juan
Weather
Mix of clouds, sun, and periods of graupel with no accumulations. Moderate west winds along ridge tops and exposed sub-ridges.
Snowpack
We found 6 to 8 inches of snowfall since 4/13 depending on aspect and elevation and minimal accumulations below 10,000 feet. New snow has bonded well to the old, refrozen snow surface with little evidence of lingering wind-slab problems in the alpine. By mid-day, 2 to 3 inches of soft corn conditions developed above a very firm layer on east to south-facing slopes near and above treeline. North and northeast-facing terrain near and above treeline was a mix bag of hot and preserved powder. Due north aspects below treeline warmed and softened at the surface, but we found drier snow down about a foot near 10,500 feet. Northwest and northeast aspects at the same elevation are not holding on to drier snow below the surface like due north. No wet snow concerns observed today at lower elevations but the stage seems to be set for wet slab problems to migrate to northerly-facing slopes at lower elevations with our next big warmup. Moist grains with water present sit below recent snowfall, but the hard frozen layer below the surface is holding the upper slab in place for now. Avalanche activity since the cool down has significantly decreased. Steady winds along ridge tops kept wind-ward slopes cool and firm even by later in the afternoon.