Saturday's weather can best be described as all huff and puff and no fluff. Cold NW winds blew most of the day averaging 20 mph with gusts near 40.Trace amounts of snow fell but I think it all ended up out in the desert near Shiprock. Winds tapered off for a few hours overnight, but have come back in earnest, blowing in the 25-40 mph range from the WNW. Overnight low temperatures have been frigid, and it is currently -4 degrees at 10'000'.
La Sal Mountains
Wind, sun, and cold, clear nights have taken their toll on snow pack and surface conditions are extremely variable out there right now. Breakable, and supportable sun crusts can be found on sunny exposures, and wind crusts abound on exposed shadier aspects. Soft, settled, re-crystallized powder conditions can still be found in the most sheltered areas. Much of the pack is being taken over by facets, which means that it is turning into a pile of sugar, particularly on sheltered, mid-elevation slopes, In these areas, it is possible to sink right through to the ground. There is currently 21" on the ground at Geyser Pass Trailhead, and 33" in Gold Basin, but "spatial variability" best describes the distribution of snow throughout the range. Some wind and sun exposed areas show bare ground. Exposed ridge tops with northerly aspects have been scoured by northerly winds, but just down slope 100' or less, up to 4' of snow can be found. On sheltered, mid elevation slopes, average snow depth is 24-30".
Abajo Mountains
Low snow conditions prevail in the Abajos. Snow depths range from about 18"-24" of snow above about 10,000' on shady aspects. Bare ground is exposed on south facing slopes, and even east facing slopes with a slight southerly component are showing areas of exposed ground. Snow surface conditions are similar to those in the La Sals. The Snotel site at Camp Jackson is reporting 19" on the ground.