Northern San Juan
AvalancheJeff Davis · Mar 3, 2021 · Northern San Juan
Weather
Sunny, warm, and southwest winds 10-15 mph.
Snowpack
The snow surface in paths just above the highway showed signs of warming during the day. On southerly slopes at lower elevations where the snowpack is less than 80 cm's the the entire snowpack was moist. On shady north facing slopes near-surface facets were observed on the snow surface. With the incoming winter storm we can expect the surface to cool and likely a sought curst will develop on all but north slopes below treeline for the new snow to fall on. In a snow pit in West Lime dry snow persists under a small curst. Large grain facets remines the layer of concern and continue to produce propagating failures. On a northeast facing slope the snowpack has gained depth and though the facets lurk in the basement snowpack tests did not fail. Winds kept the snow surface cooler near and above treeline.
Avalanche
No new avalanche activity. I did observe some fresh looking rollerballs on West aspects below treeline.