Northern San Juan
SnowpackAnn Mellick · Apr 21, 2013 · Northern San Juan
Weather
Sunny and mild, calm winds on the summit at 11:30. By 12:30 south winds were blowing snow off high peaks. Today was the warmest day we have had in a while...
Snowpack
Today the snow surface was white almost everywhere. However, with more sun and warmer temperatures in the forecast later this week, it felt like the beginning of the end of cold, white snow. The snow stayed cold and dry on all aspects/elevations until roughly 11 AM, when the snow on sunnier slopes began getting moist. Roughly 6"-8" of fresh, white snow exists above the dust layer, though I imagine this will diminish rapidly, especially on sunny slopes. New snow "sheeted" easily from ski pressure on the crusty dust layer on a variety of aspects above tl, though generally did not travel far. Extensive sluffing of the new snow on the dust layer as well- mostly loose slides from steep rocky terrain, though a few sheeting slabs (D1) as well- mostly on sunny slopes.