Virginia Lakes Conditions

SNOWPACK OBSERVATION Virginia Lakes Basin Virginia Creek
Submission Info Member Monday, February 24, 2020 - 2:00pm

Contributor

Danny O

Red Flags:

Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain

Virginia Lakes 38° 2' 35.3796" N, 119° 17' 28.4316" W

See map: Google Maps

Snowpit Observations

More detailed information about the snowpack:

Primary snowpack obs were the variability of conditions throughout the basin. All North facing aspects appeared very scoured and textured from the wind. At upper elevations, only slopes facing exactly SE softened up at all, everything else was a mix of semi breakable crust, firm windboard and sestrugi. In sheltered terrain throughout the bottom of the basin, the snow was often quite enjoyable and soft skiing. There was evidence of only a trace of new snow from 2/22 at the trailhead and throughout where we traveled. There is more dirt and rock visible throughout most of the basin than snow coverage. There were no signs of instability.

Snowpack photos:

Snowpit videos (tests, etc):

Weather Observations

Blowing Snow:

Yes

Cloud Cover:

Clear

Air temperature:

Above Freezing

Wind Speed:

Moderate

Precipitation:

None

Air temperature trend:

Static

Wind Direction:

Northwest

Accumulation rate:

None

More detailed information about the weather:

Skies were clear all day, in the AM when we were in the bottom of the basin, the winds were light out of the NW. In the PM on the ridgeline, winds were Moderate out of the NW with the occasional strong gust. From the top of Virginia Pass I did observe a moderate amount of blowing snow coming off of Excelsior Mountain. Air tem at the TH at 9AM was 1.5C and -2C at 11,180' at 12:30PM.