1.5 inch surface hoar

It seems like the snow level predicted for the incoming storms is well above the inversion level of the past few weeks. So, the liquid precip should do a good job of knocking the surface hoar down. Or maybe I'm just painting a silver lining on the grim forecast. The freezing rain predicted in the passes could be a problem though...

As far as I can tell, no serious accumulation in ~ six weeks. Is this a normal cycle? Where are the storms?

I saw areas where surface hoar had accumulated to 12 inches deep near snoqualmie pass on the Melakwa Lake trail. The hoar from steep slopes above was spontaneously sliding down the slopes and accumulating in the snowshoe trail. With the freezing rain covering these deposits, I wonder if there will be localized areas of great instability.

As far as I can tell, no serious accumulation in ~ six weeks.

<br><br> ??? We got several feet of snow less than 3 weeks ago....<br>

<br><br> ??? We got several feet of snow less than 3 weeks ago....<br>

<br><br><br>Sorry, I was thinking about a blizzard-type huge dump like the one that started off the season...

It seems like the snow level predicted for the incoming storms is well above the inversion level of the past few weeks. So, the liquid precip should do a good job of knocking the surface hoar down. Or maybe I'm just painting a silver lining on the grim forecast. The freezing rain predicted in the passes could be a problem though...

<br><br>I don't think we'll be worrying about that surface hoar any more, especially by this weekend. Even as of today, here's what NWAC has to say about this wonderful new weather:<br>"In the areas east of the <br>crest and near the passes, recent cold weather has significantly <br>faceted and weakened the near surface snow, mainly the upper 10 <br>to 15 inches. However with most of these areas now having a <br>significant surface crust, no avalanche threat is expected. "