Tahoe National Forest Sierra Avalanche Center

Pit dug at treeline on edge of open slope. No 12/4 buried SH layer observed in the upper snowpack at this location.

Test pit to examine the Dec. 4th buried surface hoar layer.

Test pit dug to examine the Dec. 4 buried surface hoar layer.

Test pit to look at previous storm snow layers. No signs of storm slab instabilities at this location.

Some plates observed near the recent new snow and old snow interface. Snowpack tests and informal observations did not show weakness at this interface. Surface hoar is widespread at all elevation ranges-some surface hoar was destroyed mid day with full sun on southerly aspects.

Snowpack in very good condition for additional load from series of incoming storms.

Upside down snowpack from cold to warm storm. Density changes more pronounced in other areas with more snow and wind effects. Snow coverage is marginal at this point and confined to Northerly aspects.