Observation from Powderhouse

Today was a great illustration of how much easier it is find surface hoar before it gets buried. It was very challenging to locate buried surface hoar in this area.  The new snow lacked slab character and test results were impressively inconsistent.  Out of numerous tests, only a couple produced clean enough shears to investigate the interface for the presence of buried surface hoar. One of these clean shears did seem to have flattened surface hoar present, but multipe tests adjacent to this one were unsuccessful in repeating this result. 

Photo 1: Widespread 4-6mm surface hoar in open areas near and above treeline.

Photo 2: Above the inversion.