Widespread and reactive buried surface hoar on Jakes Peak.

Light snow increased throughout the late morning and into the midday hours on the West Shore with S1 increasing to S2 snowfall rate.  Ridgetop and mid slope winds remained calm throughout the morning and into the afternoon.  Buried surface hoar was found in most open, non-treed areas, near treeline and below treeline on N-NE-E aspects.   There was up to 2"+ of new snow with more accumulation continuing.  The buried surface hoar, with no slab on top yet, would fail and behave like loose dry avalanches that would run downhill in steeper terrain.  As additional storm snow accumulates, larger storm slab avalanches will become likely on this weak layer. 

Video 1: Very shallow cracking on buried surface hoar just 2 inches below the surface.

Video 2: Buried surface hoar failing as loose dry avalanche activity. Note the flank creation.