Less than 32 is not the only way to lose snow to settling compacting...the high ratio snow compacts and sublimated a good deal in high ratio, protracted events.
Sell that to the LES guys who "get" 50, but measure 35.
This was a case like that, Tom.
Yea...I get it. I figured they would. but hopefully folks who know me vouch.
Plenty of guys here work for NWS and no I'm for real...I mean, I posted a pic of just under 25" depth...at 20:1 ration and 5" hour, and it will compact.