Observations from Powderhouse

Submitted by travis on Wed, 04/21/2010 - 2:49pm
Location Name: 
Powderhouse
Region: 
Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel)

Location

United States
38° 46' 58.1736" N, 119° 58' 37.704" W
See map: Google Maps
Position: 
Professional Observer
Date and time of observation: 
Wed, 04/21/2010 - 8:00am
Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Snowpit Observations
Snowpack photos: 
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Photo taken in the most wind loaded area just climbers right of Powderhouse summit. Not really enough snow to be an avalanche concern, and no evidence of slab formation. Still weaknesses within the new snow - similar low density layer as observed elsewhere yesterday. Progressive Compression, Q3 results on stability tests. Ski cuts only produced minimal results, and only when test slope was undercut within a meter of my cuts. Some very small and localized loose snow failures on steep rolls.

New snow depths varied from 10cm at 7600ft to less than 20cm near the summit. Borderline "dust-on-crust" conditions.

New snow remained light and unconsolidated, available for future wind transport.

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Wind Speed: 
Light
Wind Direction: 
South
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Precipitation: 
Snow
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour