Facets, Hard Slabs, and Rounding Snow on Carpenter

Location Name: 
Carpenter Ridge
Region: 
Independence Lake Area
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 11/23/2015 - 11:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 24' 45.432" N, 120° 18' 42.156" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Obvious avalanche path
Terrain Trap
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

A variable snowpack similar to what has been seen around the region existed in the Carpenter Ridge area. Snow surfaces ranged from melt-freeze crusts on any sun-exposed aspects to unconsolidated soft snow on the shaded and sheltered northerly aspects to scoured surfaces on exposed N-NE aspects near and above treeline. Below the surface the old snow layers continue to round and strengthen in most places. One area of concern existed in places where a hard wind slab existed above the old snow. Tests in areas where this hard slab existed showed unstable results See photos and snowpit. However, these areas were limited in distribution and were small in size. 

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
50% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

One small snow squall moved through the area around noon. Light snow and no accumulation.