Snowpit from Meiss

Location Name: 
Meiss Headwaters
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sat, 12/17/2016 - 13:26
Location Map: 
United States
38° 42' 46.08" N, 120° 0' 37.44" W
See map: Google Maps
US



Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Pic 1: Evidence of recent rain on highest elevation trees in the immediate area at 8800ft. The rain crust was buried under up to 30cm of new snow, and exposed to the surface on features exposed to wind. Impenetrable to skis, boot, or ski pole.

Pic 2: Wind slab supportable to skis, with pole 30cm down on impenetrable rain crust. Stiff wind slab was observed in this area just downwind of features exposed to wind. Storm snow farther away from these features and in the trees remained soft and unconsolidated.

Pic 3: Recent small wind slab avalanche adjacent to profile location.  Did not entrain any snow beyond start zone. Debris appeared exposed to additional wind deposited storm snow, but not recent rain. Event likely occurred after rain event, towards the end of new snow. Today's profile to lookers right of start zone. Nov 29th profile to lookers left. HS at Nov 29th site was probed today at 170cm, and was 115cm on Nov 29th.

Pic 4: Kicking wind loaded snow on a small feature showed a weakness right above recent rain crust. Consistent with snow profile, pictured avalanche, and other informal obs in area - fracture propagated about 2 meters but didn't entrain any further snow.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
None