Utah Avalanche Center

We consistently got ECTP's with scores of 13 to 15 on a thin layer of small facets that formed on top of the old snow surface. This layer was consistently 4-8 inches above the ground depending on the snow depth prior to 48 hours ago. Despite these scores we did not observe any cracking or collapsing which surprised me given the rapid heavy load of snow.

Also wind out of the N later in day.

The faceted layer between 50 and 60 seemed worse on more easterly aspects that got some solar input. These aspects seemed to have more structure in the snowpack and produced ECTP's. Also, we consistently got the layers at 65 and 60 cm's to break when we stepped above a snowpit or above a skin track. North aspect actually seemed to have a better snowpack. S aspects had crusts and lots of facets. I think S aspects are so faceted because they had a much shallower snowpack during recent cold weather.

felt cold, humid...