Observations from Bear Valley

Location Name: 
Gold Star Point
Region: 
Bear Valley Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sun, 12/20/2015 - 14:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 29' 40.4556" N, 120° 1' 58.242" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Terrain Trap
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Compression tests (CT) in this area produced consistent irregular fractures at the new snow/older snow interface. CT22 (SC) up 120cms just below 12/13 rain crust was inconsistent and not reliably repeatable. Rutschblock resulted in RB5 edge of block at the interface of the new snow and old snow. Despite non standard loading after formal Rutschblock ended, we were unable to trigger a failure around 12/13 rain crust. 

Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

Ruschblock Bear Valley 12.20.15

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: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
West
Accumulation rate: 
Greater than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

At approximately 3pm there was brief but intense (and upleasant) freezing rain event. Everything was quickly coated with a thin (<1cm) crust of ice. This event was short but did lay down a noticeable crust on top of the fresh snow that accumulated over the previous 24+ hours. Air temp measurements just previous to this event were -5C.