Carson Pass Observations

Location Name: 
Stevens Peak
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 03/17/2016 - 13:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 44' 5.1468" N, 119° 58' 53.4648" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Rapid warming
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Warm conditions today on Stevens Peak.  3-5'' of wet surface snow on top of colder storm snow below on most E-SE-S aspects and pretty consistent at all elevations.  This snow is transitional and has not formed a supportable melt freeze crust at this point.  Snow was sticky and slow by 11am at most all elevations but especially below 9000'.  N-NE exposed aspects had smooth firm wind board conditions that were nice and supportable from the top down to around 8500'.  No signs of any natural loose wet avalanches in this area.

Photo#1:  Small loose wet instabilities off of summit.  Skier triggered, 9900', East aspect, 35 degrees.

Photo#2:  6'' Boot pen at the above location into wet punchy snow.

Photo#3-#4:  Cornices around both sides of Stevens Peak.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
East