Observation: Public

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

Continuous (though variable HS) snow from Heather Meadows TH. At Austin Pass HS ranged from 65cm in more windswept areas to 145cm in leeward terrain. 30-45cm of low density snow sits atop a 6" thick knife hard rain crust. Beneath this crust are many melt forms, RG, and poly crystals P-K in hardness. The grains near the ground were still wet (you could ring out the moisture from them) and 1F in hardness. CTN - No layers of concern. Cloudy day S- with 15-20cm of snow falling throughout the day with little to no wind. Some clearing in the PM, but no sun breaks. Riding conditions were great for how low tide it is. Enough snow to keep from scratching the rain crust and surprisingly un-runneled from the rain. Photo is from Phil Straub's pit from 12/2. Add 7"-12" of low density snow to it and that's what we found in our pits.