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Wind transport on Rubicon

Location Name: Rubicon peak Region: West Shore Area Observation Date & Time: Tuesday, March 24, 2020 - 11:30
Location: 38.990431, -120.133435 See map: CalTopo	Is this an Avalanche Observation?: No Conditions Alerts: Recent Loading Recent Loading›Blowing Snow

Observation made by: Public

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Observation

Description of Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Conditions:

1" of new snow at the trailhead and 2-3" at 8800' on Rubicon. We observed wind transport of snow in all but the most sheltered areas. We toured on N aspects and avoided steep terrain and ridgetops due to wind slab concerns. A quick CT at 8600' showed failure 10 cm down at the interface of the recent storm snow and the old snow surface. New snow had several layers of 1mm graupel.

Blowing snow refilling old ski tracks

Upper snowpack at 8600’ N aspect

Weather Details

Elevation of Observation:

7000 - 8000 ft.

8000 - 9000 ft.

Blowing Snow:

Moderate

Wind Direction:

Southwest

Wind Speed:

Moderate

Sky Cover:

Overcast - Cloudy - 8/8 covered

Highest Precipitation Rate:

Light Snowfall (S1 (S-1 = 1 cm /~.5 in per hour)

Precipitation:

Snow

Air temperature:

Below Freezing

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Wind transport on Rubicon

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Wind transport on Rubicon

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