Temperature Gradient:
Temperature gradient is a very important in the snowpack because
when temperature changes more than about 1 degree centigrade
per 10 centimeters, the snow metamorphoses into weak, sugary,
faceted crystals, which cause the lion’s share of avalanche
accidents. Large temperature gradients usually occur when cold,
clear weather causes the snow surface to become very cold, or
if the snow is especially shallow—or both. (See faceted
snow.) Luckily, temperature gradient metamorphism is completely
reversible; when you take away the temperature gradient, the
crystals start to metamorphose back into rounded, well-bonded
grains.
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