Observation: Public

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

Out on a level 1 course in the skyline lake zone. Warming trend throughout the day although it did not rain on us. Light snow showers deposited several cm of rimed stellars, small pellets, and needles. Roller balls were noted in the afternoon. Top 8cm of snowpack is denser and warmer that the snow below it. The roughly 50cm of snow on the 1/30 crust seems fairly well bonded and did not produce results in a compression test, or in numerous hand pits. We looked for facets between the 1/30 and 1/20 crusts, but found 4 finger hardness rounded grains. This was an east aspect at 4600’. Yesterday, I did find facets going to rounds on a north aspect at similar elevation in the crust sandwich. Skiing is getting a bit mushy.