Snowpit from Round Top

Location Name: 
Round Top
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Tue, 01/24/2012 - 11:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 40' 1.2" N, 120° 0' 0" 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: 

pit: no signs of instability. Ski cuts and hasty pits elsewhere in area showed no signs of instability.

pic 1: Day began with N/NE winds and 15cm of light surface snow available for transport. SW winds by mid day, decreased from moderate to light.

pic 2: Mid afternoon low clouds/fog began moving in.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
None
More detailed information about the weather: 

Warm ambient temps combined with solar input and thin, high clouds warmed snow surface at and below treeline on both solar and shaded aspects. Snow surface became moist. Above treeline, indirect solar aspects warmed but did not moisten. Shaded aspects above treeline remained cool and dry.

Late afternoon clouds/fog added moisture to snow surface in some areas.