Bare ground, Sastrugi and Wind Loading at Carson Pass

Location Name: 
Southwest of Red Lake Peak
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 12/16/2016 - 11:30
Location Map: 
United States
38° 41' 56.8392" N, 119° 59' 35.4876" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Shallow sustrugi or bare ground on windward aspects, heavy wind loading and active wind transport onto lee (mostly W) aspects above treeline. Below tree line on S aspect was dense powder. Density seemed to be a mix between wind affected and solar warmed snow. 

Observed avalanche activity on E aspects both off of Red Lake Peak and the ridge toward Little Round Top. 

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
50% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
West
Accumulation rate: 
None
More detailed information about the weather: 

Above treeline was windy and chilly, while below treeline was warm and gaining from solar radiation. Dark clouds to the SE.