Observations from Powderhouse

Location Name: 
Powderhouse
Region: 
Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel)
Date and time of observation: 
Sun, 12/23/2012 - 13:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 47' 4.0164" N, 119° 58' 33.2868" 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: 

1st 3 videos: At 8000ft, N aspect, 30 degree slope. 1x PST 22/100 (end) on Dec 12th facets, 1x PST 40/100 (end) on Dec 2nd facets. 2x hard ECTPs SP on Dec 12th facets. HS of 110cm.

4th video: At 9200ft, N aspect 35 degree slope. 2x PST 25/100 (end) down 70cm on Dec 12th facets. ECTs were limited to Progressive Compression failures within storm snow, and on top of wind slab from 1st wave of storm. HS of 245cm.

I checked many open, wind sheltered slopes and was unable to find any buried surface hoar today. No signs of lingering storm snow instabilities.

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
East
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

At 1:30pm, winds shifted to Strong and W, with noticeably warmer temps and an increase in snowfall rates to greater than 1" per hour.