Observations from Elephant's Hump

Location Name: 
Elephant's Hump
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 04/06/2017 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 41' 20.8176" N, 119° 58' 35.4648" W
US



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

Poor overnight refreeze in this area with supportable conditions on open slopes and unsupportable conditions in and near areas of tree cover. In the supportable open areas it was very easy to break through the thin crust with a heavy step. Less than 0.5 inches of new snow in this area. Minor amounts of blowing snow had created small drifted wind pillows up to 6 inches deep at mid day. These pillows did not extend more than 3 to 4 feet down slope. Ski cuts on these newly formed wind pillows did not produce any cracking or signs of slab failure. The results were skier triggered roller balls.

Snowpack photos: 
Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

20170406 Minor blowing snow on Elephant's Hump, Carson Pass, CA.

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Strong
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour