Observation: Public

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

Snowfall increased from light to moderate throughout the afternoon around Highlands Bowl today as winds rose to moderate out of the west. Windward fetches were stripped down to the freezing rain crust from 12/7 in some areas. On a SE aspect just below 5800' HS was around 70cm with the previously discussed rain crust 35cm down and the November crust about 20cm lower. Wind slabs at ridgelines were unreactive and dissipated within a few hundred vertical feet.

We found a notable increase in snow at lower elevations (SE, 5100') as HS was consistently 110cm+ with the 12/7 crust down nearly 70cm with little to no slab quality in the new snow. The difference likely due to previous transport from severe ridgetop winds.

Temperatures stayed cold and skies were obscured through the day, with the occasional opening to broken skies above.