Observation from Luther Pass

Location Name: 
Powderhouse
Region: 
Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel)
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 01/16/2017 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 46' 57.2808" N, 119° 58' 55.3152" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Terrain Trap
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

North facing snow surfaces were soft unconsolidated near surface facets at higher elevations with large surface hoar at lower elevations. Open areas on ridges that received sun had a thin sun crust. No wind transport of snow was observed in this location. Snow on trees is beginning to melt and drop at lower elevations.

Photo 1: Big settlement cone showing that an impressive amount of settlement has occurred. At the largest point, the gap between the cone and the snow on the ground was approximately 6 inches. 

Photo 2: North facing open locations in this area have very uncohesive soft near surface facets, but surface hoar was noticeably absent.

Photo 3: Lower elevation open locations did feature large surface hoar. Many of the larger forms were over 1 cm in size. 

Photo 4: Lower elevation open locations did feature large surface hoar. 

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Northeast
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: 

Although moderate winds were noticeable at ridges and peaks, snow transport was not observed.