Quick report
We observed hoots, hollers, and sunshine giggles. We found evidence of just-barely a sun skin forming at lower elevations mid-afternoon. Southerly slopes were scoured and northern slopes only showed mild evidence of a barely formed denser wind layer that demonstrated no propensity for cracking. Surprisingly, we had trouble finding many signs of instability. Minimal sloughing (slow and not entraining new snow) present on steeper (around 35-40 degrees) slopes.
Weather
- Air Temp
- 13
- Cloud Cover
- clear
- Wind Loading
- light
- Recent Snowfall
- 27cm
Cool temps up high kept the snow light. Sun was out in force but saw no tree bombs or other signs of intense warming.
Snowpack
About a foot of fresh snow (somewhere between light fluff and consolidated powder) sat atop the Elmo’s Birthday crust. Down low (around 5300’) we found a layer of preserved graupel about 2” beneath the powdery surface snow. Snowpack remains shallow below 5500’ elevation.