Observations from Carson Pass

Location Name: 
Elephant's Back
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sat, 11/14/2015 - 13:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 40' 49.1916" N, 119° 58' 59.682" W
See map: Google Maps
US



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

Profile: Representative of several mitt pits observed on shaded slopes, though less wind scoured slopes had more wind blown NSFs at the surface.

Pic 1: Windblown Near Surface Facets were observed up to a depth of 10cm

Pic 2: Wind transport increased with afternoon winds

Only the most sunny slopes in this area were observed to be free of NSFs. Shaded slopes and slopes that transitioned sun/shade were consistently observed to have NSFs up to 10cm deep. Mitt pits below treeline failed to show basal facets on either sunny or shaded slopes, but near and above treeline basal facets were observable on shaded slopes. Terrain in this area is generally well anchored against basal failures.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
West
Accumulation rate: 
None
More detailed information about the weather: 

Wind increased to moderate+ in the afternoon