Snowpit from Elephant's Back

Location Name: 
Elephant's Back
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Wed, 04/04/2012 - 14:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 40' 50.3472" N, 119° 59' 0.1068" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

~5cm of new snow on wind sheltered slopes, ~20cm of snow on wind loaded slopes (wind deposition did not extend far below ridgetops). New snow heavily rimed. Windward slopes scoured to supportable MFcr. Ski tracks from before last night's snow still visible under minimal new snow. BKN cloud cover favoring radiation gain combined with moderate SW winds w/ strong gusts forming denser layer at the surface of wind loaded slopes. Much of wind transported snow being diffused into air rather than deposited onto slopes. Similar stratigraphy to pit observed via mitt pits on test slopes along Frog Lake Ridge. No signs of instability observed today.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Cooling
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

Afternoon snow showers with trace of accumulation