Observations from Blue Lakes

Location Name: 
Blue Lakes
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Wed, 12/31/2014 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 37' 57.9936" N, 119° 56' 46.4676" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Continued wind loading from E winds. Today's winds were less intense and more consistent than yesterday's, providing more typical wind loading patterns - but on W aspects. However, snowmobile slope cuts, mitt pits, and column tests did not show potential for propagation. Wind slab is becoming stiff and supportable near and above treeline, with tricky transitions from soft snow to supportable wind slab, to ice.

Future concern of crust facet combo observed to be widespread today. Small facets observed to be forming just above and below most recent rain crust, and a 2nd crust 5-10cm below that, with larger facets below. Both crusts remain too strong to be of concern yet, though in many windloaded areas they are at the right depth to be triggerable and consequential. Column tests where weakest crusts were observed still did not show potential for propagation. No buried surface hoar observed today.

Sorry no pictures today as camera batteries died right away.

Any other comments about the observation or links to outside pages that have more info on the observation: 

Despite cold temps, the lakes in this area remain in a partially frozen state, and may not be safe to cross yet.

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
East
Accumulation rate: 
None