Front Range
SnowpackRyan Zarter · Jan 8, 2023 · Front Range
Weather
Scattered clouds and moderate southwest winds today with temps in the low 20s while I was in the field. Still periods of efficient wind transport above treeline observed around the Tunnels and Loveland Pass.
Snowpack
On an east-southeast aspect near treeline I found up to a pencil hard slab sitting on top of facets and depth hoar. This sits on top of what is probably a decomposing MFcr from the first snows of the season. Propagating ECT results at the top of the depth hoar. Below treeline on east to southeast aspects I found an average Hs of around 60cm, and the snow was genearally supportive to travel on skis. Structure was a few inches of recent snow on a 4F hard layer on basal facets. The snow surface was showing some signs of warming below treeline on anything that faced south and was not shaded, though this warming did not appear to penetrate much below the surface.