Front Range

Snowpack

Ryan Zarter · Nov 8, 2024 · Front Range

Weather

OVC skies with S-1 to S1 snowfall rates. Calm winds. Hn 4.5"/0.45" in a bit over 24hrs on our highway stake. Hs 16".

Snowpack

Below and near treeline, Hs was around 45cm. Winds have formed drifts pushing 60cm in some areas towards the upper elevations of the near treeline zone. The snowpack below treeline on southeast aspects is made up of recent storm snow sitting on what was recently bare ground. There are no basal facets present, and the snowpack was fairly right side up, increasing in hand hardness from Fist at the top to 4 Finger at the base. Easterly aspects are similar in structure, however the new snow sits on a melt-freeze crust about 5cm above the ground. Under this is a thin layer of developing depth hoar. ECTN 21 at the top of the crust layer. Northerly aspects near treeline were a bit more interesting, with a bit harder slab present in some places. Even so, I only experienced localized cracking around my skis and one, very localized collapse on a wind-loaded feature.