Front Range
SnowpackBrian Lazar · May 12, 2014 · Front Range
Weather
Day started cold, calm, and overcast, with continued light snowfall (S-1 to S1). By late morning, winds picked up a bit at ridgeline from the Northeast. Brief periods of diffuse sun. Snow still going when we left at noon, with heavier precip on east side of pass (S1).
Snowpack
HST 12-14". Light, fluffly snow in the morning. Storm came in with little wind, so no signs of slab formation near and below treeline. Soft slabs 1-2 feet thick above treeline. Storm snow bonded pretty well to old surfaces. Only obsevered minor sluffing in steep (>40 degree) terrain). Even though it was only 20F, brief periods of diffuse sun breaking through the clouds caused rapid settlement in the storm snow. Storm snow getting moist on S facing slopes by noon despite the cool temps. Settlement was fast enough to create small storm slabs around 6" thick on many slopes near treeline and sheltered slopes ATL (like couloir entrances). More problematic problem by tomorrow. South, and east aspects still concerning in steep terrain. Observed moist facets and associated dust layer about 40cm down. The potential to produce more slides like the one in Stanley on Sat persists on these aspects...not as problematic on colder N facing slopes, but caution is needed on wind-loaded slopes ATL for small wind slabs. Lots of huge cornices! Watch out during next rapid warm up.