Rain Crusts and Winds on Tamarack Peak

Location Name: 
East Ridge Tamarack Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 02/09/2017 - 11:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 18' 45.1008" N, 119° 54' 17.3052" W
US


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain

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

Limited snow showers throughout the morning in the Mt. Rose area with snow level around 8000'.  Evidence of rain througout this area up to at least 9500' with existing rain runnels and rain crusts forming today.  Gale force winds were moving minor amounts of snow with limited snow available for transport with surface rain crusts.  These rain crusts were mostly ski supportable with the exception of treed areas and lower elevations.  At 9200' a 2-3'' surface rain crust existed above another 10'' of wet to moist snow, with below that back to cold dry snow.  Limited evidence of any instabilities in this area until the stronger part of this storm arrives later in the day.    

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Gale Force
Precipitation: 
Mixed rain and snow
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: