Front Range
SnowpackPaul Rogers · Feb 2, 2012 · Front Range
Weather
Winds light 10-15 mph, out of the WSW. Temps 18-20. Sky scattered. Precip 1-2cm in AM, no precip in PM. Observed no wind loading at ridge tops. Felt radiation at time during the day. Tsurf observed at TL -9C, T20 -10C.
Snowpack
Explored N-E aspects just above, at and below TL in Current/Hidden Knoll and 2nd Creek. Average HS around 100cm yet we saw depths of 150-160cm in loaded N'rly aspects at and just below TL. The wind effect on recent storm snow reached well below TL and observed cross loading throughout terrain toured. Most recent storm slab in protected areas was Fist to 4F while in unprotected areas was 1F. Across terrain the snowpack is variable and weak. Variability noted across very short distances. While probing across terrain, in one place you could easily punch through to basil facets while 5-10 meters away you could not penetrate pencil + hard persistent slab. Observed recent storm/wind slabs resting on deep and large facet layer, or recent slabs resting on old persistent slab that rests on facets. Basil facet layer in places extended 35-40cm above ground. Within the recent storm/wind slabs observed a surface hoar layer in protected areas 15cm down and a small facet (.5) layer 30cm down. Observed no wind-loading at ridge tops as winds were light and fetches were bare. The snowpack was quiet today and did not observe cracking, propagation, or rumbling, in contrast to recent tours. Overall, this is a poor, weak snowpack, coupled with the fact that it is highly variable. There is, in places, a very hard pencil+ deeper slab yet determining where it is, if you don't have prior knowledge, is extremely difficult due to variability. In spite of today's lack of visible signs I have poor confidence in the stability. Then there's the fact that we're possibly going to get a heavy load on top of this weak and variable snowpack.