The last avalanche forecast for the 2023-2024 season will post on April 21st. Thank you to all who contributed to the avalanche center this season through observations, volunteer time, and/or financial contributions.

Buried graupel east of Becker Peak

Location Name: Becker Peak Region: Echo Summit Area Observation Date & Time: Saturday, February 23, 2019 - 15:30
Location: 38.831170, -120.039620 See map: CalTopo	Is this an Avalanche Observation?: No

Observation made by: Educator at Lake Tahoe Community College - Wilderness Education

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Observation

Description of Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Conditions:

There is a thin crust at the surface (1-2cm thick) with fist hard snow just below the crust for about 25-30cm down below that the snowpack consolidates nicely down to the Feb 14 rain crust 100cm down. There was a very thin layer, less than 1 cm thick, of unconsolidated snow just above the rain crust. A compression test revealed instability at this interface (CTM Q1) wich turned out to be buried graupel.

Buried graupel on Feb 14 rain crust

Buried graupel

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph:

Snowpack Details

Total Snow Depth:

370cm

Persistent Weak Layers:

Buried

Terrain Details

Terrain: elevations:

Below Treeline

Terrain: aspects:

Weather Details

Elevation of Observation:

7000 - 8000 ft.

Blowing Snow:

None

Wind Direction:

Southwest

Wind Speed:

Light

Sky Cover:

Broken - Mostly Cloudy - more than 4/8 and less than 8/8

Highest Precipitation Rate:

Very Light Snowfall (S-1 = up to .5cm /~.25 in per hour)

Precipitation:

Snow

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Buried graupel east of Becker Peak

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Buried graupel east of Becker Peak

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