New Snow on Elephants Hump

Location Name: 
Elephants Hump
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 03/07/2016 - 12:30
Location Map: 
United States
38° 41' 18.1716" N, 119° 58' 41.8764" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Another 25cm of new snow overnight in this area bringing weekend storm totals to 75-85cm.  Below this new storm snow was around 30cm of wet snow from the beginning of the storm cycle during the rain event.  Snowpack test results were mixed with the main weakness being a storm snow instability.   Informal observations including ski cutting did not produce any cracking or any other signs of instabilities.    

Photo#1:  NW aspect, 8400', N 38.691895, W -119.971777.  28 degree slope.  2x ECTP22-24, Q2/Q3 and 2x ECTN down 55cm on storm snow needle layer. 

Photo#2:  Settlement cones around tree at 8700'.

Photo#3:  Many ski cuts on wind loaded test slopes did not produce any cracking or any signs of instabilities.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

Clouds throughout the morning with light snow beginning around 12pm (S1-).  Snowfall increased into the early afternoon (S1).