Surface Hoar in sheltered areas

We observed surface hoar at lower elevations in sheltered areas near Tahoe City, but not at higher elevations around the munchkins area. By early afternoon, snow below 7,400 became noticeably more dense/wet. Strong west winds were observed along the munchkins ridgetop and small newly formed cornices could be collapsed fairly easily. Kicking at wind loaded test slopes below these cornices yielded only very minimal cracking.