Observations from Horse Meadow

Location Name: 
Horse Meadow
Region: 
Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel)
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 01/12/2017 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 49' 0.9624" N, 119° 54' 34.686" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

150-200cm of new snow over bare ground upon approach to Horse Meadow. Top 30cm noticeably heavier than snow underneath, though no cracking on snowmobile test slopes observed. We did not expose ourselves to avalanche terrain today. Once cresting 8400ft from sunny exposures onto shady, 50-80cm of old snow observable under storm snow. Difficult access to any riding terrain today due to road closures (hwy 88 was still closed at Picketts) and challenging riding conditions.

Pic 1: Noticeably warmer than morning forecast, with temps approaching freezing, especially during brief periods of Broken skies. Settlement cones already observed on trees, and one pass on sled packed the warm snow significantly and made it easy to stand where boot pen previously had been waist deep. 

Pic 2: A recent crown (covered by more storm snow), on a relatively low angle, below treeline E aspect. Visibility made observations of other nearby avalanche terrain difficult.

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