Widespread Avalanches on Carson Pass

Location Name: 
Elephants Hump
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Sun, 01/08/2017 - 08:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 41' 26.7432" N, 119° 58' 40.1016" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent avalanche activity
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Rapid warming
Obvious avalanche path
Terrain Trap
Observation made by: Forecaster
Avalanche Observations
Avalanche Type: 
Wet
Slab
Slope: 
38degrees
Trigger type: 
Natural
Crown Height: 
6 ft
Aspect: 
North
Weak Layer: 
Old Snow
Avalanche Width: 
300ft.
Terrain: 
Below Treeline
Elevation: 
8 480ft.
Bed Surface: 
Old Snow
Avalanche Length: 
250ft.
Number of similar avalanches: 
More than 10
More detailed information about the avalanche: 

Numerous wet deep slab avalanches had occurred either last night or this morning in the Carson Pass area. Avalanches with 4 to 6 crowns that looked to have failed on the 12/15 facets near the 12/15 rain crust. The largest of these slides propagated across a 300-400 wide slope and slid downhill more than 200 ft. Since we did not approach this slope we could not see the debris or the bottom of the slide. Several smaller slopes also avalanched with less wide avalanches but with similar depths. These avalanches were triggered by the additional loading of heavy rain and snow either last night or this morning. Deep wet slab avalanche activity occurred on N-NE-E-SE aspects. Widespread loose wet avalanches were also noted in the area on N-NE-E-SE aspects.

Avalanche Photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Gale Force
Precipitation: 
Rain
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

Heavy rain accompanied by hurricane force winds and lightning in this area today.