Observations from Carson Pass

Location Name: 
North Side of Carson Pass
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Wed, 03/27/2013 - 11:30
Location Map: 
United States
38° 42' 2.8692" N, 119° 59' 29.004" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

2-3 inches of soft wet corn snow existed above a supportable melt-freeze layer at mid day today. Ski cuts on steep sun-exposed slopes did not trigger any loose wet instabilities in this area. Observations in this area indicated that good drainage channels have formed on these aspects.

Photo: 2-3 inches of boot penetration into wet snow on an ESE aspect at about 8700 ft at 11:30 am.

In the more northerly aspects, the snow surface remained mostly frozen above 8600 ft. Below the surface melt freeze crust colder drier layers of snow with frozen percolation tubes existed between other older frozen crust layers. Snowpit data, tests, and other observations did not reveal any signs of snowpack instability.

Snowpit: On a N aspect at about 8900 ft.

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: 

Thick cumulus clouds moving through the area provided periods of sun and shade. No precip was observed.