Front Range
SnowpackIan Fowler · Mar 3, 2025 · Front Range
Weather
Around noon it went from warm and sunny to cold and windy.
Snowpack
I specifically targeted shallower areas in the snowpack today to see what the potential for triggering is if people find a weak area of the slab. Below the treeline, the snowpack had fully wetted and was unsupportable to boots, but skis did not penetrate far. On the edge of the Teacup bowl, which has avalanched multiple times this season stability tests easily propagated. If we get a good freeze these layers should bond up well but I wouldn't be surprised to see surface avalanches gouge deeper. Above treeline on a northerly slope large basal facets with a thick slab was the theme. This easily collapsed on tests and indicate that if someone finds a weak area of the slope they could trigger a large avalanche. On this aspect the surface was faceted and there was no sign of water moving through the snowpack. Above treeline southeasterly aspects never warmed and the mixture of facets and crusts that I found were unreactive. It seems like the crusts on this aspect are supportive enough. With rough surface texture if the snow comes in warm it will bond okay.