Quick report
Sonora Pass observation: While driving to the pass there were obvious signs of wind transport and plumes of wind-blown snow in the air. Strong gusts from the SSW and above-freezing temperatures were observed up near the crest. The snowpack was shallow (3 ft) and sheltered from the wind. The snow pack was all facets, first hardness with a stout rain crust in the middle of the pack.
Active wind loading and transportation of snow over ridges. Light and dry snow is easily blowing around in the wind causing fresh slabs of snow in start zones in the Alpine.Weather
- Air Temp
- 42
- Cloud Cover
- few
- Wind Loading
- moderate
- Snow Avail For Transport
- small smounts
Gusty SW winds and mostly clear skies and warm.
Snowpack
ECT P x2 sudden collapse onto basal facets. Our snowpack is weak and shallow. 65 cm's of snow for pack depth in the area I was digging. Basal facets with a stout rain crust in the middle of the pack, with near-surface facets on the top of the pack. I did not find evidence of a wind slab where I was digging, it was quite sheltered. Further up the slope near the ridge, the snow was more wind-pressed.