Northern San Juan
AvalancheKrista Beyer · Jan 10, 2025 · Northern San Juan
Weather
Windy! 25-30 mph north to northeast winds with a peak gust of 72 recorded at Putney. Sunny skies allowed for easy visibility of flagging on peaks.
Snowpack
The snowpack continues to become quieter below treeline, however collapsing can still be found on open slopes with less human traffic. Above treeline the north winds are stiffening windward slabs and actively turning them into a more stubborn patchwork of hard slabs over our December drought layer. Drifting onto south slopes is forming small wind slabs and may reactivate a Persistent Slab avalanche problem in the alpine with additional snow this weekend.
Avalanche
Small reactive wind slabs above treeline on southwest and west slopes. These wind slabs were mostly shallow, but deep 50cm cracks were observed on isolated terrain features. A handful of small natural avalanches were also observed.