Quick report
- Red Flags
- Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Below the rain crust is a weak layer of faceted snow. There was no snow on top of the crust. The crust was about an inch to an inch and a half thick and the faceted layer was less than half an inch thick. The crust was pencil hardness. When broken the crust would sheer cleanly (see the video included in this observation). This was not a problem today but has the potential to be an issue if/when a load is applied. These will be layers to keep an eye on for a while.</p>
When parts of the crust broke free there was a Q1 sheer on the faceted layer just below the crust.
Faceted snow from just below the rain crust.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>Though this wasn't an issue today, in the future the faceted snow under the rain crust could become a persistent weak layer. As we receive more snow and more load is applied to this weak layer we may start to see some slide activity. Faceting below the rain crust will most likely continue creating a deeper weak layer. </p>
Rain crust found on all aspects at lower elevations but assumed to be present up to Ben Lomond peak as well. Breakable crust on most aspects with a supportable crust on southeast-south aspects.