Front Range
AvalancheRyan Zarter · Jan 18, 2023 · Front Range
Weather
Overcast skies and snowing S1 while I was in the field. Temps in the single digits Farenheit with moderate north winds. Wind loading observed near treeline, however the 80 was not favored by loading with the winds I observed. Hn overnight at our study plot was 6" with 0.4" of SWE, Hs was 54". Hst is 10" with 0.75" of SWE.
Snowpack
Where I dug on a north aspect below treeline, new snow from the recent series of storms sits on top of a mid-pack slab that sits over facets and depth hoar. Where I dug the Hs was 145cm. I had non-propagating ECT results at 115cm above the ground below a 4F layer in the recent storm snow. The new snow was reactive, and with small, shallow slabs easily triggered by skis on any steep features.
Avalanche
Numerous, very small (D0.5) slabs in the storm snow out of steep banks along the highway, either plow triggered or natural and running to the ditch.