Observations from Carson Pass

Location Name: 
Frog Lake Ridge
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 03/16/2012 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 41' 22.1856" N, 119° 59' 24.3636" 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: 

~30cm of new snow on top of yesterday's rain crust. New snow appeared well bonded to rain crust, and was "right side up" until mid afternoon when snowfall intensity, winds, and temperatures all increased. Most of the new snow was heavily rimed, but no distinct graupel layer was observed. Faceted layer observed from 70cm to 110cm deep. Variance due to some slopes that did not hold any 3/13,14 snow below yesterday's rain crust. Ski cuts of several test slopes did not produce any cracking.

Videos: consistent results. ECTs failed to initiate this layer. The previous MFcr I refer to in video #2 at 60cm down was not reactive to ECTs, and moderately reactive to PSTs at 2x 50/100 (END).

Although we did make it to Elephant's Back, visibility was very limited. Mitt pits at Elephant's Back showed good bonding to 3/15 rain crust, and the density inversion near the surface due to increase in snowfall intensity, winds, and temperatures - but no shooting cracks observed. We did not venture beyond the mid slope terrace at Elephant's Back, and could not see the main avalanche path.

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Strong
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
West
Accumulation rate: 
Greater than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

Strong winds with Extreme gusts. New snow was heavy enough to resist turbulent diffusion.