observations from Hell Hole

Location Name: 
Hell Hole
Region: 
Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel)
Date and time of observation: 
Tue, 03/08/2016 - 11:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 48' 43.722" N, 119° 56' 13.56" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Pic 1: Texture along ridgetop indicative of previous wind loading, though several steep, wind loaded test slopes failed to show wind slab instabilities today. Signs of settlement observed including settlement cones on trees, and mitt mitts in trenches showed consistent hand hardness without a significant soft layer under wind loaded snow.

Pic 2: May have to zoom to see wind plume off summit of Freel. Minimal current wind loading even though winds were Moderate out of the west. Likely due to dense surface snow generally not available for transport and/or already stripped from windward slopes.

Less warming observed in this area than forecast. Although warming and melting was observed below 8,000ft, late morning OVC sky conditions contributed to a lack of warming above 8,000ft.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
West
Accumulation rate: 
None