Slab Development at Carson Pass

Location Name: 
Round Top
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 02/16/2012 - 15:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 40' 4.8" N, 119° 59' 56.4" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

pit: much more snow than observed elsewhere in between 1/26 rain event and MFcr that began forming on 2/9. Likely explained by terrain features that favor deposition by E winds. Similarly, wind slabs are beginning to form at surface under light E winds. Distinct percolation ice layers beneath 1/26 rain layer. Mixed results on stability tests, but some evidence of propagation potential coincides with early stages of slab formation. Note that temperature gradient remains intact at problematic layer.

pic: neighboring terrain feature with slab formation visible from a distance.

While travelling to pit location, I crossed many undisturbed areas and felt collapse consistent with weak layer identified in pit. However, collapse failed to propagate and could not be considering whoomphing.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
East
Accumulation rate: 
None
More detailed information about the weather: 

Few, thin high clouds.