Soft Snow, Spring Conditions, and Inversions on Chickadee Ridge

Location Name: 
Chickadee Ridge
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Wed, 12/13/2017 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 17' 29.9904" N, 119° 53' 56.6772" W
See map: Google Maps
US



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

Spring-like conditions with 1 to 2 inches of soft wet corn snow resting on top of a frozen supportable surface existed by noon on the sun-exposed SE-S-SW aspects of Chickadee Ridge. Exposed near treeline slopes held a mix of firm scoured surfaces and wind-created features like ripples and ridges. No signs of lingering hard slabs existed along the ridgeline. In sheltered below treeline terrain on northerly aspects, 7 to 9 inches of soft loose snow (near surface facets) existed above a frozen rain crust. In areas without sun-exposure or previous tracks, this soft snow was consistent across slopes. Observations indicated that the loose surface snow is starting to become slightly more cohesive (the facets are starting to round).

Photo 1: Inversion conditions allowing cold air and clouds to remain trapped at the lower elevations.

Photo 2: 1 inch of soft wet corn snow on top of a supportable melt-freeze crust on a S aspect at 8850 ft. around 11:30 am.

Photo 3: Near-surface facets from a north aspect at 9000 ft. that are starting to round. 

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
More detailed information about the weather: 

Very warm temperatures above 8000 ft. today. Temperatures climbed to the low 50's during our tour.