depth hoar - / ˈdepθ hɔː / -
noun
Sparkly and/or large grained snow crystals that frequently create a weak layer in the snowpack. Typically resulting from large temperature gradients within the snowpack and very noticable in snow pack analysis, these kinds of snow crystals frequently create a weak layer which has the potential to slide, creating a slab avalanche.
\\ We should check the snowpack for any depth hoar before we ride this line.
Also known as:
facets
faceted snow
sugar snow
kinetic snow
