observations from Elephant's Back

Location Name: 
Elephant's Back
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 11/17/2017 - 10:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 40' 50.16" N, 119° 59' 0.24" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Supportable rain crust buried last night at the tail end of storm, observed throughout travels from Carson Pass to Elelphant's Back. Very firm ice layer where exposed to air (pic 1).  ~75cm of snow under the crust along approach to E Back. 5-10cm of dry snow on top of crust in wind sheltered areas. Wet snow observed from rain crust to ground in every place I looked.

Pic 2: Wind loaded test feature showed cracking in graupel layer right above rain crust. Consistent with hasty pits, mitt pits, and formal profile. 

Pic 3: Clean, planar shovel shear in same graupel layer.

Profile: Wet snow below the forming rain crust, with no facets observed. 

 

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Southwest