Northern San Juan

Moisture is inbound! High Cirrus clouds formed throughout the day, signaling the arrival of Pacific moisture from the closed low system hovering off the coast of California. It's a good sight after a long period without much more than high winds. This is hopefully the start of a storm that will add some much needed low density snow to our snowpack Friday through Sunday. Todays temps were slightly above average, but still below freezing. Light winds turned westerly and will shift to a southwest flow with the incoming system. Temperatures will drop as snow arrives, keeping snow densities low.

North through east slopes are a shaky foundation of facets near and below treeline. More exposed areas have a thin breakable wind skim covering the facets. Above teeline is a moonscape of heavily wind-affected terrain with wind scoured slopes, firm wind slabs, and ribbons of lower-angle dishes that still contain softer snow. Slick firm slabs, scoured ridges, and near-surface facets will make up the interface for new snowfall.