Front Range

Snowpack

Anonymous · Mar 4, 2013 · Front Range

Weather

Start of tour sky was broken with periods of S-1, and temps 20-25, winds light from West. That changed around 1130AM as temps dropped, winds picked up: 20-30mph from West and sky became obscured with periods of S-5 but primarily S-2. Wind transport moderate at/above TL - note that most of the day the heavy snow came in with Westerly winds in this area and transport was significant and on-going all day onto Easterly aspects.

Snowpack

HS in area ranged from 150-200cm and amount of new snow surprised me. 6-8 inches new when I arrived with 1-2 added while touring yet in wind drifted areas saw 2+ feet accumulation of new snow. Skiing East aspects snow was well over the boots and around knees in drifted areas. New snow was just starting to stiffen up in the alpine (Easterly aspects) and have soft slab tendencies and where it stiffened up, was reactive on old snow surface. on three occasions - shooting cracks and collapsing at ridge tops and in valley floors. Did no digging today - just wanted to submit new weather/snow info as it was significant.