JR’s San Juan Mountains Weather and Snowpack Report 12/23/10 07:00

Weather

The extended winter storm is finally winding down with one last surge of orographic snow favoring southwest terrain today.  As this low pressure trough passes mid day there will be a wind direction change from SW to NW as the back side of the trough moves east and signals clearing weather, partly cloudy skies and a bit of high pressure for the holiday weekend.

Red Mountain Pass/Molas/Coal Bank passes are receiving 1.5 to 2.0″ of snow per hour this morning and could even increase until trough passage later in the morning. It’s been a storm of longevity with impressive snow totals for certain areas of the mountains and other areas that were totally skunked.  Must have been the Ute curse on the white man in Telluride and Ridgway.

Snowpack

With snow accumulation nearing 5′ south of Silverton on Molas/Coal Bank areas the Avalanche Danger is HIGH and as one travels north of RMP and the Telluride area the Danger declines to CONSIDERABLE of course with areas of various surprises. Avalanche mitigation results on the Hwy. 550 corridor were very good and skier run-in’s with the Tiger in the backcountry have been reported as “Numerous.”  Other skiers have claimed “It’s safe, it’s cool, it’s too heavy to slide, it’s Sierra Cemet man.”  Be cautious..

Snow total update: