Radiation Recrystallized Facets

Radiation Recrystallized Facets

These facets may be a future weak layer.  They form when solar radiation heats upper layers of the snowpack, but the surface of the snowpack emits long wave radiation to a clear sky and remains cool resutling in a strong temperature gradient.  Photo: YCSP

This image is from the following advisory:
GNFAC Avalanche Advisory for Sat Mar 14, 2009