Vail & Summit County
SnowpackBrad Sawtell · Feb 4, 2011 · Vail & Summit County
Weather
Sky mostly obscured to overcast. Moderate WNW wind. Temperatures ranged from minus 13 to -10C.
Snowpack
The incoming snow will have a hard time finding an existing snow surface to bond too, especially in the alpine and on solar aspects near tree line. Most old snow surface consist of polished sun crust or wind crust. Near tree line on solar aspects, a stout though porous sun crust has a trace to two inches of new snow. Below tree line, the snow surface has turned into small facets since the cold temperatures of this week. Some cracking in newly formed wind pillows and collapsing near shallow snow cover near exposed rocks above tree line. S aspect, abv TL revealed moderate CT scores with Q2 shears as well as moderate ECTP's and Q2 shears.