Poor bonding at old/new interface on Echo

Location Name: 
Echo's lower east flank
Region: 
Echo Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sun, 12/13/2015 - 14:20
Location Map: 
United States
38° 51' 45.3636" N, 120° 3' 5.292" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Multiple mitt pits showed repeated failures at the old/new snow interface. The failures occurred on a graupel layer that was laid down between 08:45 and 09:15 just prior to the front moving in. No evidence of the surface hoar observed at this location on 2015-12-13 (mistakenly submitted as an observation for 2015-12-15). The surface hoar in this area appears to have been destroyed by overnight winds. Rapid transport of new snow in this area as well, enough to bury skis in less than a minute.

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Strong
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: 

Multiple periods of graupel snow observed between 08:45 and 16:30. Strong, swirling winds created wind slabs in unusual locations throughout the area toured.