Spatially variable
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
By Lisa Van Sciver
Jackson Hole, Wyo.-This winter’s dry weather has left a variety of snow textures. Some of the textures are buried and others are on the surface. These different snow textures have created persistent weak layers, avalanche bed surfaces, and variable skiing.
As the temperature warms, the poorly bonded layers weaken, making them easy to trigger. Once the temperature drops below freezing the snowpack momentarily gains strength.
The melt-freeze cycle we see now is a result of daily warming and nightly cooling, and it creates perfect skiing at the right time. When the cycle comes too early or too late, survival techniques will be necessary. Hidden away in shady, cold places, powder can still be found, but not easily.
While assessing slopes, check for weak layers and remember this season’s history: below average snow depths and above average avalanche activity. As the high pressure persists the snowpack continues to change. Watch for persistent weak layers, like basal facets and surface hoar, which may not disappear from certain slopes. Treat each slope individually, because with spatial variability and warming temperatures slopes could differ from a locker snowpack to one that is weak and easily released. JHW
PERMALINK:
Spatially variable | Planet JH News Article: Snow Report Column
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