Southern San Juan
SnowpackMatt Steen · Mar 25, 2013 · Southern San Juan
Weather
Clear and cool day. Cold wind blew moderately from the north and northwest.
Snowpack
Southern exposures below treeline have melted to bare ground where slopes face the sun. Small patches of snow are left on slopes in shadier locations like behind trees. New snow from earlier in the week measured less than 3 inches near treeline. No evidence of the recent new snow was on wind exposed and lower elevation slopes. This new snow was moist by the midday direct sun. Southerly facing terrain near treeline measured around 3 feet deep. A supportable melt-freeze ice layer was around 8 inches to a foot below the surface. Previous warm temps and direct sun had warmed these slopes turning the snowpack isothermal in many locations as previous wet slide activity was observed and reported in the area. The current snowpack on these southerly slopes has refrozen and 'locked up' during the past few days of seasonably cold temperatures. North facing slopes below treeline remained cold and dry. Depth of snow there measured around 3 to 4 feet deep. A 4 finger stiff or less mid pack was un-reactive to ski cuts on these north-facing steep slopes. Stiff, slab-like snow surfaces and melt freeze crusts were on slopes that face the sun near and below treeline. The previous strong west through north winds scoured slopes to the ground on exposed northwest through northeast facing slopes that are near and above treeline.