Northern San Juan
AvalancheJeff Davis · Jan 19, 2019 · Northern San Juan
Weather
Bluebird, but very cold before the morning sun. Winds were strong enough in the alpine to move snow, but died off in the afternoon. Temperatures increased throughout the day.
Snowpack
The snowpack was overloaded with a substantial load on many slopes. Widespread avalanche activity was observed on all aspect and elevations. 1.1-1.5 inches of SWE (Snow water equivalent) fell across the Highway 550 corridor. Hasty pits near the road showed easy and very easy results on compression and extended column tests. Warming temperatures quickly settled the new snow into a surface slab. Strong winds in the alpine drifted snow and built stiff slabs on leeward slopes. Bottom line Big load, Strong winds, Rising temperatures, and a Sensitive snowpack. YUCK!!
Avalanche
Widespread Natural activity observed in the am. Many avalanches are assumed to have occurred in the early hours of January 18. During that time multiple hours of 1-2 inches of snow an hour slammed the snowpack. Winds were out of the southwest, west and northwest. Avalanches were observed on steep slopes at all elevation.