Jenny Bowl

Moderate on solar aspects, low on shaded aspects. 

 

Minimal signs of instability today. Wind slab on east aspects has mostly stabilized; we couldn't get any to move.

Snowpack conditions are variable.

East aspects are loaded, and the surface has been stiffened by east winds.

North aspects remain cold and light. The snowpack is upright and well-bonded. ECTN 30 on the Presidents day crust was the only result in tests. The crust was a 53cm (21") down in a 245cm (96.5) snowpack where we dug at 7800'.

On south aspects, the snowpack is more complex, with multiple crusts and facet layers in the upper foot. We found varied results in tests on these layers in tests, with layers failing on isolation in one pit and not propagating in the next, so there is spatial variability. Regardless the structure is poor, and it's possible to trigger a slide on the persistent weak layer up to a foot deep. A 175cm (69") snowpack was found at 7800' on the south aspect.

West aspects were being lightly loaded by east winds today, but there was no evidence of windslab at upper elevation. I anticipate some of the crust facet combos exist on west aspects as well as south. 

The sun was out and warming south aspects today, but not as quickly as anticipated. A thin cloud veil and east winds helped keep snow surfaces cool at upper elevations. Below about 7000', snow surfaces were warming rapidly in the afternoon. We kicked off some roller balls while riding, but it hadn't warmed enough for loose wet to be a problem at upper elevations. There will likely be a crust on solar aspects at all elevations tomorrow.

Widespread surface hoar developed last night. It is preserved on north aspects, but was being melted off on solar aspects.