Front Range
SnowpackLucas Mouttet · Jan 5, 2023 · Front Range
Weather
The wind early in the day eased and left sunny and clear skies, with temps in the 20’s for much of day. Winds were calm to light, with some gusts to moderate speeds.
Snowpack
Snow height was 115cm at 10,000ft, with up to 215cm measured in sheltered areas near tree line. Facet layer at base of snowpack was covered by 1finger, 6” tall, mid pack slab in lower elevations, with the slab growing to 1ft thick near tree line. Some cracking observed in surface snow, from wind since Monday. Around 11,000ft, we found a buried graupel and unmetamorphosed snow layer about 16” below snow surface that produced variable results in the snow pit (shear failure was SP in spots and BRK in others).