Wet day, accessible facets at Becker

Location Name: 
Becker Peak
Region: 
Echo Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 03/15/2012 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 49' 56.2296" N, 120° 3' 32.1732" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Rapid warming
Obvious avalanche path
Terrain Trap
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Wet day, with rain and snowmelt from trees up to my high point of 8400ft. Several natural, wet loose avalanches observed at Becker Peak and the cirque in between Becker and Talking. None were observed to step down to PWL. Free water visible in the top 5 to 10cm of snowpack below 8000ft, and 2 to 5cm between 8000ft and 8400ft. Several mitt pits showed no free water below the surface, but it was still raining upon my departure at 1pm.

Video: No surprises here - very similar to results seen elsewhere for several weeks. Repeatable results here today. Note that the weak layer is quite accessible at only 60cm down (HS100cm), and failed more easily than other recent tests where the weak layer has been deeper. The percolation layers I refer to in the video are not from today's rain - rather from previous warm weather when the MFcr closest to the surface formed. A small natural wet loose was adjacent to this test, and the load failed to trigger the weak layer. Tests performed on E aspect at provided lat/long.

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
Rain
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: