Observations from the Fireplug

Location Name: 
Fireplug
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 02/17/2017 - 15:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 19' 30.2484" N, 119° 54' 19.9296" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

2 to 3 inches of new snow had accumulated in this area by 3 pm. Light SE winds with moderate gusts were transporting minor amounts of snow along the Fireplug ridgeline but the wind slabs that formed remained small and inconsequential in this area. Cornice pieces dropped on a previously loaded NW aspect that had some minor cross-loading from the SE winds did not trigger any signs of instability. Snowpit data and observations also indicated good bonding in the snowpack. 

Photo 1: ECTN 20 that broke at the base of the wind slab on a NW aspect, indicating that fractures are unlikely to propagate along this layer. 

Photo 2: Very small cracking on W aspect along the ridgelines. These small wind-loaded features did crack but the wind slabs remained too small to have consequences. 

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Cooling
Wind Direction: 
Southeast
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: