Snowpack

Observation: Abajo Mountains

TrenbeathAbajos
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Observation photo 1

Quick report

Aspect
East
Red Flags
Collapsing, Poor Snowpack Structure
Elevation
3048 m
Slope Angle
35°
Red Flags Comment
<p>Overall shallow and weak snowpack nearly doubled by storm of Monday, January 12. Old snow surface had formed a thick crust with underlying facets. Easy shear between new snow and old snow surface on top of crust.</p>

Snowpack

Instability Comment
<p>Expect shear above crust to persist and become more problematic with next snow load. Facets under crust were moist and rounding on sunnier slopes but will remain loose on shadier aspects. </p>

The Abajos have had an extremely low snow year. The storm of Monday, January 12 deposited 10-14" of medium density snow nearly doubling the snowpack in most locations. Sheltered north faces at upper elevations have up to 30" of snow but overall average depth is 20-24". South faces, even at upper elevations were mostly bare ground prior to Monday's storm. Snow surface less affected by NE wind event of January 13, soft settled powder conditions abound.