Observations from Carson Pass

Location Name: 
Round Top / East Bowl
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 04/14/2011 - 13:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 39' 48.4092" N, 119° 59' 16.746" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

No photos - memory card failure:

A cool, moderate W/NW wind and thin, high cloud cover was keeping most snow surfaces from warming until mid afternoon, when cloud cover began to break-up and winds decreased to light. Moderate sized point releases were observed below the mid-slope cliffs on E aspects of Deadwood Peak (S of Round Top), but no warming instabilities were observed in the Round Top area. Similar small to moderate sized loose snow debris piles were observed from Meyers later in the afternoon on Echo and Flagpole peaks.

Windward aspects were mostly stripped down to a crust, which began to warm by mid-afternoon, becoming breakable with the occasional thin melt layer where sheltered from today's wind.

Leeward aspects had variable new snow deposition, averaging 10-15cm, and 20-30cm in small pockets (~25x25m). No slab instabilites observed on lee aspects. Limited warming was promoting settlement and bonding with old crust layer.

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
West
Accumulation rate: 
None
More detailed information about the weather: