Observation: Public

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

Yesterday was warm with roller balls and easy sloughing. Today the surface was frozen and we expected less reactive tests results. Not to be. 6500 feet, North aspect, 30cm wind delivered snow over early march crust. The snow above the crust was dense with several layers and minor crusts. The snow below the March 6th crust was generally loose large round grains and moist. Snow depth was 125 cm. Compression test failure on isolation. Propagation saw test failure at 60/100, but it arrested. Modified extended column test (60cm width) failed at 20 but did not propagate full width (ECTN20). All failures were below the March 6th crust. Heavily modified rutschblock test failed at 2 levels on the first hop. Neither slid off the column. Failures at 3 inches down and also below the March 6th crust. Very reactive but no propagation problem observed.