20-30cm of storm snow near Bear Valley

Location Name: 
Poison Ridge
Region: 
Ebbetts Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sun, 01/06/2013 - 15:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 29' 33.8964" N, 120° 0' 31.32" 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: 

20-30cm of cold, light storm snow on both E and W aspects of Poison Ridge near Bear Valley. Consistent E winds, with S1-2 snowfall until skies cleared mid afternoon, though E winds continued.

Pic: Taken at 3pm, looking N along Poison Ridge. E winds depositing snow on W side of ridge. Snow on all aspects remained light, unconsolidated, and available for transport.

Video: At 8200ft, NW aspect - slope angle of only 27 degrees. 25cm of storm snow not yet showing slab characteristics. At this location and on NE aspect immediately adjacent, several CTs showed easy SP results at this same interface between yesterday's MFcr and new storm snow. HS of 250cm. Similar results with mitt pits and hand shears in several drainages/aspects along both E and W sides of Poison Ridge. Lower density storm snow just above crust.

Previous surface hoar observed intact at interface between yesterday's MFcr and storm snow, but storm snow not cohesive enough for slab formation. No evidence of intact deeper surface hoar as observed yesterday at Horse Canyon.

Above 8500ft, tiger striping visible on cross loaded slopes evidence of slab formation at higher elevations than those traveled today.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
East
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

Precip ended and skies cleared mid afternoon, but snow continued to be transported by E winds.