Snow profile #7 at the Swamp Angel Study Plot.  Dust layer D5 is in the snowpack surface and layers D4, D2, and D1 were clearly visible in the snow pit wall. 

CSAS field assistant Andrew Temple preparing the snow pit for snow profile #11 at the Swamp Angel Study Plot, on April 16, 2013 with dust event
D8 in progress (and visible at the snowpack surface).  Dust layer D6, of April 8th, is the very dark band some 6” below the snowpack surface.

The isothermal April 22 snow profile #12 at Swamp Angel Study Plot shows the D6, D7, and D8 layers still separated by bands of
comparatively cleaner snow and recent, clean new snow at the snowpack surface.  Drier and sunnier weather would follow. 

By April 30, snowmelt was well underway at Swamp Angel Study Plot and dust layers D8, D7, and D6 were merging in the snowpack surface.

SASP (left) on May 19, the day after the snow depth sensor recorded 0.0” snow depth.  Snow melts around the instrument mast slightly sooner than on the remainder of the
study plot. And, SBSP (right) on May 27, just four days before that snow depth sensor recorded 0.0” snow depth.  Snow melts from east to west under this instrument tower.