Quick report
On Sunday & Monday was finding the density inversion(s) within the storm snow to be the weakest layer. These density inversions have settled out, and now the weakest snow is the old snow surface prior to the Sunday/Monday storm. Last week's cold, clear weather faceted the snow at the surface, and then the Friday/Saturday wind event covered some of the facets. Wind and warmth helped deteriorate some of the weaknesses at the old snow surface, but the weaknesses at the surface did remain intact. Photo below shows this layer from the old snow surface
However, was unable to get clean shears at this layer, and extended columns were all ECTN in the mid-teens, just collapsing below the shovel. Am thinking this weak layer was mostly destroyed by wind/warmth.
What I did not get to observe were thinner snowpack areas where last week's cold, clear weather helped facet much of the entire snowpack.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>The old snow surface prior to the Sunday/Monday storm had faceted, and now has a cohesive, 3-45 cm, strong slab on top. Would definitely still give it more time before venturing out onto anything steep.</p>
HS > 1 meter above 7500'.