Snowpit from Elephant's Hump

Location Name: 
Elephant's Hump
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Tue, 11/10/2015 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 41' 18.9456" N, 119° 58' 39.7632" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

HS in this area increased 2 to 3 times with the Nov 8-10 snowfall event. HS in most wind protected locations is this area is now 50 to 60 cm (photo). Numerous hand pits while ascending from east to west on Elephant's Hump did not reveal any evidence of buried surface hoar. Surface hoar that was widespread in this area on Nov 6 was likely destroyed by wind and warming air temperatures prior to snowfall on Nov 8.

No obvious signs of instability were noted while on tour. Hand shears in the numerous hand pits consistently revealed a moderate to hard shear within the recent storm snow and good bonding at the old/new snow interface. Formal snowpit tests revealed a very repeatable ECTP result on a slight density change within the recent storm snow. Snow crystals on either side of the failure plan were new forms and decomposing fragments, pointing towards a non-persistent weak layer.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Northeast