Mt. Rose Observations

Location Name: 
Fireplug Area
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 03/02/2012 - 11:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 19' 28.6968" N, 119° 54' 35.0568" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Rapid warming
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Not as much skier traffic today in the Mt. Rose area as expected, many of the bigger avalanche slopes were not skied.  We experienced 2 separate whumps on North facing terrain in the 8200-9000 range in the Fireplug area and many collapes on the old January crusts/facet combo.  The crusts in this area were much weaker than experienced in other areas of Mt. Rose, with the main upper melt freeze crust with facets below and the lower rain crust not as apparent.  This crust could easily be broken through while skiing in lower snow areas.  Storm snow from Monday-Thursday was 70cm with settlement occuring.  The storm snow slab is gaining strength and stiffening.  CT's still showed weakness at the main density change from the Tuesday winds/storm and sudden collapse just below the crust on facets.  ECT's were variable.  1 ECTP-28 on the density change and ECTN's on the crust/facets.  

No avalanche activity observed in this area. 

Picture:  Morning east winds scoured only the upper starting zones of NE-E aspects.

Video:  ECTN, 9200', N aspect, 29 degree slope.

Snowpack photos: 
Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

mtrose2012-3-2 003.avi

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
East
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: 

Morning East winds were in the moderate range and slightly scouring the very exposed upper slopes only.  These winds decreased by mid day into the light range.