Rain Crusts and New Snow on Tamarack

Location Name: 
Tamarack Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Wed, 03/11/2015 - 14:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 18' 44.9748" N, 119° 54' 23.0184" 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: 

Half an inch to 1 inch of new snow existed today in the Tamarack Peak area. Snow level in this area seemed to be fluctuating between 8000 and 8500 ft. during the day. A thin breakable crust existed below the new snow up to at least 9900 ft. Likely this crust formed as a result of rain falling on the snowpack at the onset of this small storm. Snowpit tests indicated a stable and strong snowpack that continues to consolidate and form bonds between its layers.

Photo 1: The largest area of wind deposited snow I found on my tour. This wind deposit only measured about 2 inches in depth and only extended about 2 ft down slope from the ridge. All of the other areas of wind deposited snow that I saw were smaller than this one. Photo is from the coordinates attached to this observation.

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: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

Snow level fluctuated between 8000 and 8500 ft. Intermittent snow showers continued throughout the afternoon with less than 1 inch of accumulation.