Test results were unremarkable. The current snow structure showed good overall stability. In anticipation of more snow tonight and into the weekend, the near surface faceted snow will be a layer to pay close attention to. Due to variable surface conditions this layer will not be easily found along ridges where surfaces have been scoured. Consider digging test pits well below ridge lines.
Observation: Turnagain
Location: Tincan
Normal Tincan uptrack to 2500′
Forecaster Comments
Observer Comments
No obvious signs of instability were observed
Weather
Lightly snowing
20F
E winds, 10-15mph, gust to 25mph
Snow surface
1000' - 2" of new snow 5" of faceted low density snow
1500' - 2" of new snow on variable snow surfaces
2000- 2500' - Variable surfaces, Wind scoured ridges, Gullies and deposition zones had 1 - 3" of new snow on top of faceted old snow.
Snowpack
Total height of snow varied from 5"-30" depending on elevation and wind distribution.
Pit at 2500', SW aspect, 32*, HS= 60-85cm, ECTX, Top 4cm consisted of 4F hard wind skin, on top of 20cm of Fist hard faceted snow, below these surface layers the snowpack gradually transitions from 4F to 1F to pencil hard near the base. A 4cm pencil hard m/f crust was found on the ground.
Variable surface conditions exist in the alpine. Many ridges and exposed areas are scoured.
Deposition zones like gullies and below ridge lines have 5-10" of poorly bonded faceted snow on the surface
Pit at 2500' on Tincan, SW aspect, note the top 10" consists of poorly bonded fist hard faceted snow on surface