Front Range
SnowpackPaul Rogers · Feb 25, 2017 · Front Range
Weather
In the afternoon, temps averaged ~ 10F, yet 10-15 mph winds from West made it feel like well below zero. Light blowing snow at/just above TL, moderate transport at ridge top. Sky was overcast with intermittent, light snowfall S-1.
Snowpack
HS= 170-180cm below TL, and 200-220cm above TL. HST 20cm at/above TL. Above TL on leeward rollovers where the new snow was just beginning to stiffen into a wind slab - we got a few whumps and propagation about 1-2 meters. Also on leeward test slopes, above TL, we initiated some very small slides in isolated areas where the new snow was stiffening. Dug a pit at 11,800 on NE aspect with a HS of 200. Compression tests produced results at 20cm down on tiny facets/old new interface CTM Q2, and at 47cm down on persistent 2cm thick facet layer, CTH Q1. It was impossible to get anything deeper to initiate, due to strong pencil hard slab that comprised all of the mid and lower portions of the snowpack in this area. observed rounding of basal facets.