Front Range

Periods of intense S3 snow. This was very rimed particles and graupel.

Looking at general coverage, the main areas where it seems there is still enough snow for a significant avalanche are northeast through east to southeast aspects near and above treeline and northwest, north, and northeast below treeline. Most other slopes seemed like they had too little snow for avalanches. On aspects that had snow, it was firm, and ski and boot penetration was just 5cm even by 1pm. Probing the snow felt generally firm with a variety of ice crusts. On a north aspect at 12,000 feet, the snow was about 60-80cm in a more drifted feature. Most northerly slopes at this elevation are totally dry. At the location I dug, there were still basal facets that were 4-finger hard, and the snowpack above was very strong. Although I got an Extended Column Test to propagate from the elbow with such thick, strong layers above, when the slab is intact, I can not imagine a rider affecting anything below. On this slope, there was about 5cm of accumulated snow, I suspect from today or the previous afternoon's convective build-up. Ski cutting accross steep north through northeast to east aspects near treeline at 1pm I was unable to get any surface snow to move even on slopes close to 40 degrees.