Observations from Red Vista/Elephant's Hump

Location Name: 
Red Vista/Elephant's Hump
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Wed, 03/25/2015 - 11:20
Location Map: 
United States
38° 41' 20.22" N, 119° 58' 37.488" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Rapid warming
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Minimal signs of surface wet snow instability in this area at mid day. Recent new snow was capped by melt-freeze crust on N aspects, rapidly assimilating on E aspects, and rapidly melting out on SE-S-SW aspects. Snowpit data collected on a N aspect at 8,840' in near treeline terrain yielded no indications of slab instability. Skier triggered roller balls that occurred at noon on an open, sun exposed NE aspect reached 45 cm (18 inches) in diameter before breaking apart. Ski cuts on several steep N-NE-E aspects produced only roller balls and pinwheels, no loose wet sluffs. Natural roller balls, likely having occurred yesterday were visible on the E face of Elephant's Back.

Photo 1: Skier triggered roller balls, NE aspect, 8,800' at noon.

Photo 2: Recent storm snow in melt phase, rapidly assimilating with old melt-freeze crust below on E aspect at 8,700'.

Photo 3: Rapid melt out of recent storm snow on SE-S-SW aspects of Red Lake Peak.

Photo 4: Natural roller balls on the E face of Elephant's Back, likely occurred on March 24.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
East