Observation: Public

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

Surface rain crust noted on N/NE aspects at Yodelin made for pretty crummy skiing conditions today. On our ascent we noted large roller balls at lower elevations that were likely from yesterday. There were no signs of fresh roller balls but we did note some snow melting from trees. We dug a pit at 4600' on a N/NE facing slope and found surface rain crust sitting on about 11cm wet snow. From extended column testing we found ECTN 22 at 18cm and from compression testing we noted CTM with Q2 shear quality. We were noting failures due to separation under a thin crust at about 18cm. Tests were completed at about 2:30 PM with partial cloud cover and temps were just below freezing.