Here’s some general observations from prior to the October 28th storm and artic air.

Powder Mountain/James Peak had about 4-8” on the ground after the Oct 20 storm. The week of the 21st burned off the snow on most South aspects but Northerly aspects held snow fairly well. I noticed that creek bottoms as low as 6000’ were holding frost all day without melting, even with the warmer temps on Sat Oct 26.

On Sun Oct 27, I generally found 6” or less snow below 8000’ at Snowbasin. And 10-12” above 8000’. The lower elevation snow was faceted - obviously loose and sugary. Above about 8000’, the snow didn’t seem to facet that much (yet). It was mostly Fist hard, occasionally 4F. Faceting has started, but didn’t feel sugary except around thin rocky areas. There was a patchy, but stout 2-inch sun/heat crust on flatter terrain, even on northerly aspects. But the crust seemed to be absent on steep, north aspects (truly sun protected areas). Upper elevations picked up an additional 3-4” of new light density snow during the day Oct 27. I didn’t make it above 8500’ - so, not sure what snow was doing at higher elevations.

I’d expect the light density snow at the top of the snowpack to facet quickly.