Observations from Powderhouse Peak

Location Name: 
Powderhouse Peak
Region: 
Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel)
Date and time of observation: 
Tue, 01/05/2016 - 13:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 46' 58.3896" N, 119° 59' 5.0496" W
US


Red Flags: 
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Terrain Trap

Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Any other comments about the observation or links to outside pages that have more info on the observation: 

In digging snowpit found noticeable melt freeze crust below the days snowfall. Very soft snow immediately below crust appeared to be near surface facets that at least partially survived yesterdays warming.

Strong ridgetop winds were blowing snow and creating windslab in open terrain.

Photo 1: Very small rider triggered slide on a ridgetop test slope. Addtional wind loaded convex rolls in this area were producing cracking when weighted or skied. 

 

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
75% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

Accumulation rates increased during the time (12 - 2) I was on Powderhouse.