Snowpit and wet snow obs from Relay Peak

Location Name: 
Relay Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 04/02/2012 - 11:45
Location Map: 
United States
39° 18' 46.8612" N, 119° 56' 25.9224" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Pit dug in area wind loaded last night by east winds. Isolated warming instability observed in the form of roller balls on E-SE aspects below cliff bands and rock outcrops on surrounding peaks. Snowpit tests did not indicate likely propagation of slab failure within new snow, but 15 minutes later a ski cut above the pit released a small slab at the height of the upper ECTN result that refilled the pit. The higher elevation of this area slowed warming through the morning hours, but warming accelerated significantly around noon.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
East
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: