Firm icy wind slabs and weak and shallow snow on Round Top

Location Name: 
Round Top
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Tue, 12/20/2011 - 12:15
Location Map: 
United States
38° 39' 54.018" N, 120° 0' 4.5324" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Obvious avalanche path
Terrain Trap
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

A mix of hard icy wind crusts/slabs, weak faceted snow, old snow surfaces from last year, and bare rocky ground existed on Round Top today. The hard snow surfaces dominated on the the more exposed northerly aspects above treeline while patches of shallow softer snow remained in the lower elevation trees. Snow depth varied greatly from nothing to 18 inches over very short distances. The strong winds from earlier this fall had scoured large amounts of snow away from the northerly aspects above treeline leaving some patches of last years snow exposed.

Photo: Overview of the north side of Round Top

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
North
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: