Quick report
We went to Crater Lake and found more new snowfall and blowing snow than expected, causing poor visibility near and above treeline. I stomped on wind loaded test slopes but not enough had accumulated yet to effectively test. Both crusts in the top third of the snowpack were thick and strong. The Dec 29th crust had small facets under it that will be worth monitoring. After finding an unexpected surface hoar layer yesterday, I tried to find it again today but couldn't.
Weather
- Cloud Cover
- overcast
- Wind Loading
- light
- Recent Snowfall
- 3
- Snow Avail For Transport
- moderate amounts
Cool and windy with more new snowfall than expected
Snowpack
On a NE aspect at 8600ft, in a location likely to promote surface hoar growth, I couldn't find the same buried SH layer that I unexpectedly found yesterday at Ebbetts Pass. The Dec 29th crust was thick and strong, with small loose facets under it. The Dec 12th facets were strong at this location. By mid-day, not enough new snow/wind blown snow had yet accumulated to present a concern.