Observations from Elephant's Back

Location Name: 
Elephant's Back
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 11/14/2013 - 12:30
Location Map: 
United States
38° 40' 51.024" N, 119° 58' 59.592" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

More data indicating a widespread snowpack structure of melt freeze crust on top of facets down to ground level. In this area the snowpack appeared slightly deeper (from previous wind loading) and overall stronger with less developed facets than what was observed yesterday in the Mount Rose area. Areas of continuous snow cover are limited to N and NE aspects. Nearly all other aspects are melted out.

Photo 1: NE aspect of Elephant's back showing patchy snow cover after previous scouring by east winds.

Photo 2: N/NE aspect of the Round Top complex as viewed from the NW shoulder of Elephant's Back. Many of the larger avalanche start zones in this area hold continuous snow cover, negating the effects of anchoring for future storm cycles.

 

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
50% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Cooling
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: 

Approaching cold front.