Observations from Silver Peak

Location Name: 
Silver Peak
Region: 
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 11/21/2013 - 11:10
Location Map: 
United States
39° 13' 23.592" N, 120° 14' 36.924" 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: 

New snow amounts in this area were 4 inches at 7,500' and 9 inches at 8,000'. Very little wind loading occurred during deposition. Layering within the storm snow appeared to have been caused by fluctuating snow level.

No signs of instability were observed within the snowpack while on tour in the area. A second snowpit dug at 8,200' on a NE aspect just above treeline on a 34 degree slope (39.22252, -120.24573) (photo) revealed similar layer stratigraphy to the published and mapped snowpit above. Similar snowpit test results were obtained with ECTN results occurring within the storm snow and within the basal facet layer. PST 98% cut length results occurred within the basal facet layer.

NE winds were increasing, but upon departing the area around 1pm, very little scouring had occurred. As wind speed continues to increase later today and tonight, more significant scouring of above treeline N-NE-E aspects is expected.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Northeast
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour