Front Range
SnowpackIan Fowler · Jan 12, 2023 · Front Range
Weather
A warm but blustery day with significant snow transport. Wind calmed a little in the afternoon.
Snowpack
New snow accumulations were about 20cm of new or wind-deposited snow in sheltered areas. The shallowest depth of snow we observed was around 1 meter, and in drifted easterly slopes, we found over 3 meters of snow. There was a lot of variability in snow depth over just a few meters. On southeast aspect below treeline, we found a snowpack 100 to 160cm deep and gaining strength. A thick, strong mid-pack slab was sat over weak 4-finger facets at the ground that were gaining strength and rounding. Propagation saw test results did indicate if someone found the trigger point, the whole slope could still avalanche. As we moved up towards the near treeline elevation band, snow depths varied wildly, and the snowpack seemed a little weaker. On due south aspect, we found a melt-freeze crust about 10cm (4 inches) above the ground, which was easily reactive in compression tests but stubborn in extended column tests. If we had the time for a propagation saw test we might have seen a short cut length. At the top of the snowpack a reactive wind crust was developing.