Grand Mesa
AvalancheBrandon Levy · Dec 26, 2020 · Grand Mesa
Weather
Cold and inverted this morning with 8F observed in Debeque and temperature in the teens increasing to near freezing throughout the morning near Grand Mesa Cliffs avalanche area. Increasing southerly winds with a few high cirrus observed to the south.
Snowpack
Generally low snow on Grand Mesa especially on the north side. Just above 2' observed at the roadside weather plot and at the profile location. The snow depth has decreased in the last ten days despite periods of snowfall in that timeframe. The settlement has slightly increased the resistance of the mid-pack; however, the observed grain types throughout the profile were almost entirely faceted crystals. In a long column test the mid pack slab cracked down to the 12/10 persistent weak layer after 16 taps (ECTN16 down 32 cms on 4mm DH). Snow surface is a mixed bag of weak grain types with partially rimed surface hoar mostly laying flat and near-surface faceted crystals including faceting stellars. Additionally, collapses were noticeably more localized than on 12/16/2020.
Avalanche
none observed