Mammoth Lakes Basin - New Snow, Warming, Pre-storm Surfaces

I went to the Lakes Basin today to check in on the new snow from last night, warming, and pre-storm snow surfaces. 

New Snow: 

• Height of new snow up to 10 cm (wind drifted) on leeward slopes near and above treeline.
  • New snow was made up of precipitation particles and graupel
  • New snow sits on
    • A. Melt-freeze crust (4 F - K hard)
    • B. Wind affected surface (1F to P hard), with .5 mm facets on top of the old surface.

 Warming: 

• Moderate to strong southwest winds helped to keep snow surfaces cold/frozen throughout today above ~ 9500', unless in direct sunlight. Below 9500', surfaces thawed up to 10 cm on all aspects. 
• Small amounts of new snow below 9500' were transitioning or moist. Above 9500', new snow was dry unless in direct sun. 

Pre-Storm surfaces

• Areas without new snow held melt - freeze crusts, or P hard wind board with .5 mm of near surface facets on top. 
• Northerly slopes with crusts held  facets and dry snow beneath. Southerly slopes held a thick, hard melt freeze crust that was impenetrable. 
• Most south - west slopes have areas that are scoured or melted to bare ground