Observations from Meiss Meadows

Location Name: 
Meiss
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Tue, 12/29/2015 - 11:50
Location Map: 
United States
38° 43' 3.9288" N, 120° 1' 7.3632" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Pockets of older, stable wind slab were observed on nearly all aspects above treeline in lee areas created by micro terrain features. In general, snow surface conditions above treeline consisted of a mix of scoured areas of exposed rain crust and pockets of wind deposit up to 15 cm deep. Unconsolidated snow remained on the surface on all aspects below treeline. Snowpit data at the noted lat/long revealed no signs of instability and no evidence of faceting around the Dec 24 rain crust.

Very minor amounts of wind transport observed above treeline on the highest peaks during the morning hours. Increasing NW winds in the early afternoon were observed to transport more snow above treeline with some deposition on NE-E-SE aspects. Visible wind transport was most notable on Elephant's Back and Red Lake Peak.

Photo#1:  Light snow transport over Round Top Complex from NW winds.

Photo#2:  Mix of scoured areas, exposed rain crust and wind deposit on Meiss Ridge.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Northwest