Transitional snow conditions on Rose Knob Peak

Location Name: 
Rose Knob Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Wed, 01/30/2013 - 10:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 17' 11.4576" N, 119° 57' 33.1272" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Transitional snowpack conditions were observed today on Rose Knob Peak and on Tamarack Peak. Above 8,600', storm snow from late last week had yet to undergo a significant melt freeze cycle prior to today. Below 8,600', rain crust and melt freeze snow are established on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects. At 10am, 1 inch of wet snow existed in sun exposed areas on S aspects while shaded areas remained frozen. At 10:15am, surface snow on S aspects at 8,900' was just beginning to enter melt phase.

Photo 1: Patches of firm rain crust was exposed in some above treeline areas.

Photo 2: Small pockets of shallow stable wind slabs existed on ridgelines in above treeline areas. 1F hard slab over F hard storm snow was a common structure. No cracking or other signs of instability involving these small and shallow wind slabs were observed.

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