Vail & Summit County

Snowpack

Jason Konigsberg · Dec 5, 2016 · Vail & Summit County

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Weather

HN24 estimated. Winds were at least 20 mph with gusts close to 40 mph. Visibility was poor. There was a lot of snow moving around (near and above treeline) but it was hard to get a feel of how efficiently the stronger winds were loading slopes. Snowfall decreased by 1 PM with the sun showing through the clouds intermittently.

Snowpack

All slopes observed were northeast and east...Below treeline there is about a foot of unconsolidated, fist-hard snow. All of the snow except the new snow is faceted...In near treeline areas that were not previously or currently loaded the snowpack is similar to below treeline...On near treeline wind-loaded slopes I experienced shooting cracks and thundering collapses. The snow at the ground is very weak and a thick hard slab is likely building on leeward slopes.