Snowpack

Lakes Basin

Greg CunninghamEastside Region
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Quick report

My goals today were to measure new snow at the Crest, and look around for new wind slab distribution. 

Many of the roads in the Lakes Basin have been cleared, but the gate remains closed. Coverage in the lower basin is patchy, particularly on E and SE.

I found a trace to 2" of new snow at 9000 feet. At 10000 feet and above, I found closer to 4" of new snow. 

Clouds and humidity were having a greenhouse effect on the new snow, and it was warm and sticky. I could feel the underlying crust with every turn, although it had also been warmed and softened. 

Weather

Air Temp
35
Cloud Cover
overcast
Wind Loading
previous
Recent Snowfall
5-10
Snow Avail For Transport
small smounts

Partly sunny in the morning and temps in the high 30s. Fully obscured and socked in on the crest and moderate southwest winds with the occasional strong gust.

Snowpack

  • 2-4" of new snow made up mostly of graupel pellets
  • I was not able to find wind slabs
  • New cornices had formed near the Crest
  • I observed small natural rollerballs of new snow