Observations from Hidden Peak

Location Name: 
Hidden Peak
Region: 
West Shore Area
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 01/09/2017 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 58' 46.308" N, 120° 7' 4.764" 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: 

Limited evidence of instability observed this morning on Hidden Peak. New snow amounts on top of rain wetted snow and forming rain crust ranged from 5 cm (~2 in) at 6,600' up to 12 cm (~5 in) at 9,000'. Above 7,500' the rain crust had become skier supportable, below 7,500' it had not. Blowing snow existed near and above treeline but wind slab formation along the summit ridge was no more than 10 cm (~4 in). Only minor cracking with no significant propagation observed.

At noted lat/long (8,250', NE aspect) very wet snow comprised the top 120 cm (~4 ft) of the snowpack with free water visible to the naked eye coming out of the snowpit wall. Moist snow existed deeper, all the way down to the Dec 15 rain crust 180 cm (~6 ft) below the snow surface. Old Dec 15 near crust facets on top of the Dec 15 rain crust had become moist and easily formed a hard snowball.

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

Light snowfall for most of the morning, new snow amounts less than expected.