Front Range

Snowpack

Anonymous · Apr 29, 2019 · Front Range

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Weather

Friday April 26th 2019 - The Longs/Meeker Cirque received approximately 2-3 inches of graupel, up to about 3/8" in diameter, in the afternoon. Additional snow was received that evening but was not measurable due to high winds. Winds increased into the morning of Saturday April 27th out of the S-SW at approximately 30-50 mph (estimate made by difficulty walking) with substantial gusts carrying up to fist sized snow chunks.

Snowpack

At approximately 11,600' on the SE avalanche path above Columbine falls a new storm slab formed overnight with a maximum thickness of approximately 30 inches (measured by penetration of travelers crossing the slope). As of 7:15 Saturday morning the slab was lightly consolidated, a gloved fist easily penetrated the new snow but the surface did support a person lying on it until he attempted to regain his footing. The underlying snow was in the process of consolidating with firm morning neve and soft wet afternoon snow on Wednesday April 24th and Thursday April 25th. No formal assessment was attempted due to conditions.