Observations from Stevens Peak

Location Name: 
Stevens Peak
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sun, 04/13/2014 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 43' 58.278" N, 119° 58' 17.3136" W
See map: Google Maps
US



Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Areas of continuous snow cover are scarce in this area below 8,200' on all aspects. Above 8,200', areas of continuous snow cover are limited to NW-N-NE and previously wind loaded E aspects.

A decent overnight snow surface refreeze occurred in this area last night. Snow surface conditions remained supportable up until about noon on E-SE aspects traveled. N-NE aspects above 8,400' remained very supportable at noon and were unsupportable below 8,200' by 12:30 pm. Ski cuts on steep NE aspects at 8,000' to 8,200' at 12:30 pm produced only very limited wet snow instability in the form of small roller balls and tiny loose wet avalanches despite deep ski and boot penetration into wet snow.

Photo 1: Minimal snow on E aspect terrain at 7,900'.

Photo 2: Melted out E and SE aspects as seen from 8,700'.

Photo 3: Looking towards Red Lake Peak and continuous snow cover on NW-N-NE aspects. 

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Northeast
More detailed information about the weather: 

Significant wind only felt at elevations above 8,800'.