Observations from Meiss Ridge

Location Name: 
Meiss Ridge
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 01/06/2011 - 14:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 42' 28.1412" N, 120° 0' 31.536" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Quite the variety of surface conditions observed today:

Pic 1: On indirect solar aspects, surface snow remained loose and dry. Similar conditions existed on direct solar aspects being cooled by the E wind.

Pic 2: On direct solar aspects protected from the E wind, a thin melt layer is forming at the surface. No roller balls or point releases observed.

Pic 3: E wind remains light at and above treeline, but consistent enough that soft sastrugi has formed along ridges.

Shaded aspects at and below treeline remain cold, with some signs of NSF. Excellent skiing. No surface hoar observed this late in the day, though I did occasionally see areas of SH fallen over.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
East
Accumulation rate: 
None
More detailed information about the weather: 

Calm winds below treeline, light E winds at and above treeline.

Above freezing temps on direct and indirect solar aspects. Much colder on shaded aspects.