Variable Conditions on Elephant's Hump

Location Name: 
Elephant's Hump
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sun, 02/11/2018 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 41' 27.06" N, 119° 58' 26.292" W
See map: Google Maps
US



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

Variable snow surface conditions existed in the Elephant's Hump area today. On any slopes with exposure to sun including the E-SE-S-SW-W aspects firm frozen crusts existed if snow remained on those slopes.  On NW and NE aspects breakable crusts existed in most areas. NE-N aspects exposed to the NE winds held wind scoured surfaces. Some soft, cold, unconsolidated snow still existed on open untracked N aspects sheltered from the NE.  Snowpit data and observations from this area showed old persistent weak layers have gained strength and did not reveal any signs of instability. 

Significant melting has occurred in the last week and bare ground exists in many places that previously had snow cover. 

Photo 1: Looking across at the E and SE aspects of Red Lake Peak with the N aspects of Elephant's Hump in the foreground.

Photo 2:  Ski tracks showing soft snow in the shade and icy crusts in the sun.

Photo 3:  Significant melting that has occurred on an E-NE aspect at 7900 ft. on the skin into Elephants Hump.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
75% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Strong
Air temperature trend: 
Cooling
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
More detailed information about the weather: 

Increasing winds and cloud cover throughout the day. Minor blowing snow was observed along some ridgelines.