Weather
- Air Temp
- 29
- Cloud Cover
- scattered
- Wind Loading
- none
- Recent Snowfall
- 0
- Snow Avail For Transport
- none
Unseasonably warm. Periods of sun. Moderate winds from the SW.
Snowpack
Tracking mid storm instabilities and the January drought layer. Dug on a north facing slope at 10,000’ somewhere above Chicken Scratch. Here, about 70cm (27”) of dense snow from the Feb 1st–3rd storm is sitting on top of faceted snow that formed during the dry period in the second half of January.
A weak interface that was formed mid storm exists 45cm (18”) down from the surface. Graupel was found at this interface. Pit tests show low potential for propagation at this interface (ECTN).
The faceted snow buried 70 cm is showing higher propagation potential (PST 25/100 END). However, the overlying slab is strong, which is indicated by the ECTX results on this layer. Overall, the structure is poor in the upper meter (3.5ft) of the snowpack. 3 or 4 out of 5 lemons.
Thinking big picture, these test results match the recent avalanche activity observed in the upper elevations. Triggering is becoming harder given the strength of the slab, but is still possible and can result in widely propagating hard slab avalanches.