Surface Hoar, scouring and other obs from 5 lakes

Location Name: 
NW of Estelle Bowl
Region: 
Five Lakes Area
Date and time of observation: 
Tue, 03/08/2016 - 11:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 9' 54.9324" N, 120° 15' 22.0788" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

The new snow is going through various changes in the Alpine Meadows / five lakes zone. Extensive scouring and loading from both the NE and the SW winds was observed in most areas exposed to the wind. In sheltered areas on NE-N-NW-W aspects, between 8,400 and 7,400', the upper snowpack was light and uneffected by the sun/ warm temps/ wind. Surface hoar was observed in this area, in an elevation band centered right around 8000'.  Settlement evidence was sporatic, but present. No signs of instability on our tour today, other than minor shooting cracks  in the very fresh,  small windlsabs that had formed by 12pm, due to the Moderate SW winds. 

photo#1- Surface hoar observed around 8k' on a sheltered N aspect

photo#2- evidence of settlement in the snowpack, again around 8k'

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

Clear and cold in the morning, the day became quite warm around 10:30-11am. By noon, the stormy weather had moved in and winds and precip picked up considerably. The SW winds were actively forming fresh winds slabs near the ridgetops as of 12pm.