Vail & Summit County

Snowpack

Mike Floyd, Kreston Rohrig · Mar 30, 2021 · Vail & Summit County

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Weather

Moderately strong west->northwest wind near treeline, above treeline was very windy.

Snowpack

Recent storm snow was about 8 inches overnight. New wind slabs were forming on easterly slopes near and above treeline, but we observed no avalanches or other instability signs. A snowpit on a southeast aspect near treeline showed the recent storm snow and wind slab about 20 cm deep on a firm felt freeze crust. Under this crust is a weak layer of faceted snow. In a stability test, I was able to break the wind slab over this faceted snow but it took a fair amount of effort and did not propagate (ECTN19). The lower snowpack is gaining cohesion and was unreactive in stability tests.