Wet snow conditions on Carson Pass

Location Name: 
Frog Lake
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 03/10/2016 - 12:48
Location Map: 
United States
38° 41' 21.534" N, 119° 58' 58.7172" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Starting at 10:45@8500' light snow had started to fall and air temp was 3 degrees Celsius. During our approach, there was no signs of a crust on the surface from overnight freezing, snow was still soft and wet. Ski cut results immediately kicked off pinwheels on a small feature steeper than 35 degrees. Boot pen was from 12 to 18 inches throughout the day in various locations. Snow fall increased to moderate as the day continued. Temps dropped to freezing by 13:30 in the afternoon. Falling snow particles varied all day from ice chunks, needles, stellers, and rimed up variations. Winds were transporting new falling snow towards NE-E aspects, some isolated areas were getting loaded but most snow was airborne and swirling around. On the drive down@15:00, snow line stopped around 7600' and it was lightly raining throughout Hope valley.

Photo 1: Pinwheels at 11:00 on North aspect

Photo 2: 40cm boot pen mid-afternoon

Photo 3: Pinwheels that formed from the shoveled pit snow.

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