Wet snow and frozen crusts on Lincoln Ridge

Location Name: 
Lincoln Ridge
Region: 
Yuba Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 12/30/2011 - 10:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 35' 22.146" N, 120° 29' 2.2956" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Rapid warming
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

 A 2-4 inch thick melt freeze crust existed on the snow surface on the northerly aspects up to 7700' in this area. The crust formed due to the wet surface snow from yesterday refreezing more than expected during the night. In most areas this crust remained breakable and did not support a skier. Underneath this crust soft, weak, and wet snow existed all the way to the ground. Some snowpit tests showed that fractures can propagate through the soft wet snow layers (see attached video) and other tests indicatated that fracture propagation remained unlikely. As the snowpack continues to refreeze the snowpack should grow more stable.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

2011 12 30 Lincoln Ridge

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: