Montana State University Geography Dept.

USGS Snow Chemistry Pit

Crust/facet layer just above Xmas crust was spatially inconsistent and presents as simply facets in other areas of the pit. No buried SH observed (probably due to windward and solar slope).

Observed spatially variable free water flow in pit with consistent matrix flow at the xmas crust and preferential flows below forming thin crusts and vertical columns to the ground.

Variable direction blustery winds

Dug in relatively wind protected location

variable direction light gusting moderate winds due to local orographics and S-1 snowfall/graupel with brief pulses of higher snowfall rates

Very poor structure below a very unconsolidated soft storm slab. Location is ~50' below ridgeline.