Some wind scouring, new snow and a persistent weak layer on Tamarack Peak

Location Name: 
Far East Ridge of Tamarack Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Tue, 03/06/2012 - 14:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 18' 48.5352" N, 119° 54' 20.1636" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Approximately 3-5 inches of new snow has fallen in this area since this morning. The new snow remains light and cold and has very few slab characteristics in areas where the winds have not had as much of an effect on the snow. The persistent weak layer of crusts and facets still exists below a slab of recent snow. Some tests show it has become more stable and others indicate that fractures can still propagate along this layer.

Near and above treeline the NE winds had picked up this afternoon and started to scour the N-NE-E aspects leaving firm surfaces behind. Small new wind slabs had started to form on the NW-W-SW aspects by 2pm. Some human-triggered cracking did occur on these wind slabs however they remained too small to pose a serious hazard.

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

2012 03 06 FET 003

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
75% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Strong
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Cooling
Wind Direction: 
Northeast
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: