Observations from Squaw Ridge

Location Name: 
Squaw Ridge
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Tue, 12/27/2016 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 37' 39.36" N, 120° 4' 49.44" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Rapid warming
Obvious avalanche path
Terrain Trap
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Pic 1: Large 5mm+ surface hoar on a gladed slope on the climb between Allen Camp and Squaw Ridge. Surface hoar was widespread but didn't survive the heat on sunny slopes.

Pic 2: Recent windloading near an old avalanche - note that today's winds remained calm. Even away from the obvious windloading, from roughly the point this photo was taken and at the provided lat/long, new snow just above the Dec 15th facets was 4F+ and produced propagating ECTs down 45cm on hard taps. Surface snow remained a Fist hard combo of DFs and NSFs with small SH on top (next pic). This facet/slab/loose surface structure was observed in several locations on N, NE and E aspects along Squaw Ridge. On features with less of a slab, ECTs did not propagate, but a PST did propagate to the end at 50/100. No cracking observed on numerous small test slopes, though we avoided large and/or unsupported slopes today.

Pic 3: 2mm surface hoar just below ridgetop. Calm winds observed today. SH observed to survive today's heat on shaded slopes and slopes with indirect sun, at all elevations from Tragedy Springs to Squaw Ridge.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Accumulation rate: 
None
More detailed information about the weather: