Observation: Public

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

8:30 am east aspect, 5500ft. Before most of the new snow. Total snowpack about 1 meter deep. Two significant week layer’s about 30cm down and 33 cm down before today’s snow. Both showed major healing from the rain. The ice layer did not stop percolation from the rain and appeared mostly broken down. The associated facets where bonding together and rounding off. The temperature at the week layers was warm and cultivating improvement. An ECT showed no results, nor did ski cuts, shovel shear or hand pits. Older signs of rain saturation showed in the form of roller balls. No point releases, wet slabs or glides where observed. The quantity of roller balls seemed to increase with slope angle. Overall the snowpack showed signs of good stability and surface temperatures where appropriate for good bonding with the new snow today.