Melt Conditions on Angora

Location Name: 
Angora Peak
Region: 
Echo Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 02/12/2016 - 11:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 52' 4.6848" N, 120° 4' 15.1248" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent avalanche activity
Rapid warming
Terrain Trap
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Warm temps and sun are influencing the snowpack on south and east facing aspects between 6300-8600 in this area. At the lower end of this range dry patches are starting to spread on flat aspects. 

Once on more shaded northerly aspects above about 7500 feet soft snow existed under a thin crust. Above about 8000 feet small areas of soft snow without a crust on top were observed as well. 

South facing slopes had well transitioned melt freeze snow, the top 3-6 cms of which were soft at 10:30am. More E facing slopes were still undergoing change and alternately grabby and smooth. 

Photo 1: Although snow travel is still straightforward at around 6300 feet in this area, the dry patches are definitely growing quickly. 

Photo 2: Still a bit of snow clinging to E facing rocks. The multiple rollerballs on the slope below showing evidence of previous wet surface snow and wet loose activity. 

Photo 3: The largest of the rollerballs was about 3 feet tall and resting again this tree. 

Photo 4: View of the south face of Angora. The snow on this aspect has mostly transitioned to corn but faint evidence of previous wet loose activity is visible. 

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: