Snow morphing in Deep Creek

Location Name: 
Deep Creek Canyon South Ridge
Region: 
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 01/03/2013 - 11:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 14' 34.5156" N, 120° 15' 12.78" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Touring in Deep Creek:  Pockets of cold air hanging in the valley have created up to inch deep hoar frost in the meadows. A lot of forested area under heavy trees has no significant crystal growth.  Snow pack has morphed with the top layer of snow becoming less dense over the last several days.  Digging deeper by hand revealed sold stable four finger plus snow to arms depth with varying depths of light unconsolidated snow at surface from 10 to 30 cm depening upon location and slope.  I kicked one cornice block of small size that only brushed away the light surface layer before stopping  50 feet below. Snow was stable on all slopes skiing. On steeper rolls the surface dust cascaded but nothing more. 

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
None
More detailed information about the weather: