Sawatch

Snowpack

Becs Hodgetts · Mar 29, 2020 · Sawatch

Weather

Calm and mostly cloudy. When sun did pop out, it did not feel strong.

Snowpack

East near and below treeline had about 3 inches of new snow sitting on a 2cm thick, supportable to ski melt-freeze crust. In the upper 50cm of the snowpack, there were two more crusts, on at 10cm from the surface that was 1F hard and irregular. At 30cm from the surface, a 6cm thick crust was supportable to boots. Average HS 150cm, Big Slide area has snow depth settled ~15cm in 9 days despite regular small storms. Most notable today was a widespread 6mm surface hoar layer(SH). SH was larger near treeline (must have been in the cloud), today's sun did not appear to be affecting it. With only 2-4 inches forecast, followed by temps above freezing, this layer will be worth tracking, but I don't expect it to persist. North slopes below treeline average HS 160-190, supportive to skis, boot pen 40cm. Soft, dry snow and facets to 60cm below the surface. (Did not dig deeper). Upper 4" of new snow with 1mm surface hoar.