Widespread graupel found near Round Top.

    I started my tour around 0945 this morning. The skies were clear, temps were cold and winds were light throughout the day only producing minimal snow transportation. The overnight cold ambient air and clear skies promoted surface hoar growth in protected areas from the wind above and below tree line. The cold temps also kept the snow soft and powdery through the morning; however, around 12:30 the sun really started to heat the surface causing the surface snow to become wet and compressible quickly. Upon my ascent I found 4-12" of new snow between 8500 and 9700 feet, it was right side up with a 5cm low density layer on the surface. I noticed I was consistently coming across graupel below the surface of the snow and in areas where wind erosion exposed the layer of graupel. I dug a pit in a semi-wind loaded area @ 9700' on NE aspect; I was looking for wind slab development and presence of graupel. I found a spot with 45cms of new snow and completed a compression test. Results did find the graupel and produce resistant planar results under moderate pressure around 35cms down. Extended column tests resulted with ECTN on this same layer. As the day progressed the snow really warmed up and produced small rollerballs on solar aspects. Otherwise there was no signs of other instabilities.