Observations from Horse Meadow and Blue Lakes

Location Name: 
Hope Valley
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Wed, 02/22/2017 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 46' 34.8708" N, 119° 55' 6.6648" 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: On sunny slopes in the morning near Horse Meadow, cracking extended short distances in front of sled.

Pic 2: Later in the day off Blue Lakes Rd, multiple cuts of a test slope did not produce any propagating cracks. Note the cornice in the background, and see next picture.

Pic 3: On a similar elevation and aspect to previously pictured test slope, a recent natural crown just below cornice. Filled-in enough to have occured prior to overnight snow.

Pic 4: Around 3pm, SW winds increased and ridgetop wind transport became obvious. Shortly after this picture was taken, visibility decreased significantly and snowfall increased to S1.

Video: After triggering a Loose Dry on a treed slope, I investigated the snowpack and found little evidence of slab formation, but wet and weak snow just below the height of the Loose Dry failure. This was a sunny aspect just above Hope Valley, during a very warm period before noon. Later in the day, we moved to Blue Lakes Rd, where at higher elevations and on shadier slopes, this wet layer was firm and supportable.

Snowpack photos: 
Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

MVI 7839

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: 

Day began warm, calm, and sunny. By our departure after 3pm, winds increased, temps decreased, and light snowfall began.