Observations from Carson Pass

Calm, warm, and sunny weather around Woods Lake and Black Butte today. About 2ft of supportable snow on wind sheltered terrain. Several mitt pits/hand shears, stomping on steep rolls, and one ECT did not indicate instability at the interface between the two storms or at the ground. Several pits were dug to the ground and facets at the ground were only observed on top of and adjacent to rocks. But there were three potential weak layers observed at the surface, worth monitoring for the future: Surface hoar, early stage facets forming just under a thin crust at the surface, and early stage loose facets at the surface. Only the warmest surface snow did not have one of these potential weak layers present today. 

Pic 1: The approach to Meiss or traverse to Crater Lake didn't look inviting.

Pic 2: Warm enough for mini roller balls off rocks in the sun. Surface snow in the sun was sticky and grabby.

Pic 3: Surface hoar on open, wind sheltered terrain. It may come and go several times before we get more snow, but it's worth paying attention to along with the other near surface faceting observed today.