Observations From Tamarack Peak

Location Name: 
Tamarack Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Tue, 04/02/2013 - 12:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 18' 55.5012" N, 119° 55' 4.1016" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

North aspects between 9000-10000' had 4'' of settled storm snow that skied well throughout the morning.  This snow sat on top of a ski supportable firm melt freeze crust.  Minimal warming occured during the morning hours on true north aspects at this elevation.  On East aspects 2-3'' of wet snow existed on the surface by 10am.  This snow sat on top of a mostly firm ski supportive melt freeze crust and this wet snow was reactive and slid easily while skiing with roller balls and loose wet activity.  All wet loose activity was with the recent storm snow on top of the melt freeze crust.  The melt freeze crust has had a marginal freeze but was still holding together throughout the mid day today. 

East aspects surface snow was sticky below 9400', below 9000' all aspects were wet and sticky by 12pm.

 

Video:  9700, SE aspect, 35 degrees at 12:30pm at noted coordinates.  Wet 2'' of surface snow on top of a moist melt freeze crust.  Snowpack moist down 2' deep.

Photo#1:  Skier triggered wet snow instability off the shoulder of Prolitariate Bowl around 11am.

Photo#2:  Prolitariate Bowl at 12:30pm showing skier triggered roller balls and some natural wet snow instabilities off the steeper rocks and trees.

Snowpack photos: 
Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

TamarackPeak2013-4-2 007

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southeast
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: 

High thin clouds limited some solar radiation and light SE winds all contributed to limit some of the wet snow instabilities in this area.