Front Range
SnowpackAmanda Loughlin Ian Fowler & Max Strotbeck · Jan 19, 2025 · Front Range
Weather
Cold! Moderate to strong west winds with active snow transport, and broken skies becoming overcast in the afternoon.
Snowpack
The height of snow below tree line on east facing aspects averaged around 160cm and felt right side up. Slabs were becoming firmer, and basal layers appeared to be rounding. In more open areas below tree line, we found a half centimeter wind skin that increased up to 10cm near tree line. Near tree line, the persistent slab was more sensitive where basal facets are weaker and snow depth is variable. The height of snow ranged from 50cm where it was wind scoured to 200cm where it was wind loaded. The lack of a wind slab forming near tree line was possibly due to the strong winds leading to sublimation. We did not experience any collapsing on our tour. We traversed above a steep test slope to trigger a wind slab, but only experienced minor cracking. Ridgelines had significant sastrugi patterns from persistent wind effect.