Front Range
AvalanchePaul Rogers · Dec 13, 2018 · Front Range
Weather
5cm of new snow. Temp 15F but felt like 0 up in the alpine with the wind chill. Sky – Few. No precip. Winds 20-25mph from WNW. Transport moderate near TL, intense at ridgetop. Winds transporting snow and forming slabs on leeward (NE –SE), above /near TL and on open areas below TL.
Snowpack
Primary observation was recent wind slab formation and instability on slopes NE-SE near and above TL. On leeward slopes near/above TL, the upper snowpack was comprised of two wind slabs formed during the last 4-5 days. Most recent snow has formed a 10-20 cm slab (4F) that rests on a 20-30 cm slab (1F) formed earlier in the week. Test slopes and hand pits easily produced results 20 down on density difference, and 40 down on 1mm facets. On these leeward slops, near/above TL, I think the problem 40 down will be a concern as we receive more loading. Add that to the other two primary concerns – 1cm facet layer ~60cm down and the basal facets.
Avalanche
None observed today.