Observations from Carson Pass

Location Name: 
Carson Pass
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 12/01/2017 - 11:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 41' 23.442" N, 119° 59' 28.842" W
US


Red Flags: 

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

Variable conditions present at Carson Pass near Elephants Back, Roundtop, and the Sisters today. In open sheltered areas large Surface Hoar crystals were present sitting on top of 4-6 inches of loose uncohesive Near Surface Facets. This soft snow was sitting on a stout rain crust. In more wind exposed areas large patches of this soft snow had been removed leaving only the hard rain crust. Steeper high elevation slopes held a mix of firm chalky snow with patches of very hard rain crust. The variability in the surface conditions made it difficult to find large expanses of predictable snow. In one steeper shaded lee slope the soft surface snow displayed small loose dry avalanche characteristics in response to ski turns. But it was challenging to link these areas together. 

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: