Aspen

Snowpack

Matt Huber · Apr 6, 2019 · Aspen

Weather

Temperatures were above freezing the entire trip. Increasing cloud cover from the north began to increase as the afternoon progressed, with 85% cloud cover by the end of the trip. Gusty winds increased as the convective clouds began to produce virga and outflow winds.

Snowpack

Near and above treeline the snowpack remained solid and supportive through the trip. Winds and increasing cloud cover kept the surface cold and limited wet instabilities. Isolated shallow wind slabs were found on northerly aspects just below ridgelines. The wind slabs were unreactive and quickly faded roughly 100 meters below ridgeline. Below treeline, the snow surface was beginning to become wet by 2:00 pm on all aspects, but still supportive except near tree wells and in dense timber.