Front Range
SnowpackAmanda Loughlin · Feb 17, 2024 · Front Range
Weather
Clear skies, temperatures in the mid-teens with a moderate west wind and moderate snow transport.
Snowpack
Height of snow (HS) below and near treeline on north and northwest aspects varied from <5cm to 160cm. I experienced minor cracking on wind drifted areas and observed wind effect ranging from a thin wind skin to sastrugi on east aspects. I observed moderate snow transport near treeline from moderate west wind. Snow pits dug on north and northwest aspects near treeline both revealed a 4F weak layer of facets about 50cm from the ground and about 20cm of depth hoar. Extended Column Tests (ECTs) on north aspect produced ECTN29 at this 4F layer, ECTN8 at new snow, and ECTP29 at interface between depth hoar and P layer above. ECTs on northwest aspect produced ECTX and ECTN29 also at the 4F facet layer.