Loose Wet Sluffs on Test Slopes Near Twin Crags

Location Name: 
Twin Crags
Region: 
Sawtooth Ridge to Tahoe City
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 03/16/2017 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 10' 5.5092" N, 120° 10' 7.644" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Whatever refreeze occurred last night had completely melted away on the SE-S-SW aspects by 10 am below 7000 ft. in this area today. Unsupportable wet snow in which you would sink up to your mid shin (18 to 24 inches) if you stepped off your skis remained on these slopes. Ski cuts on small steep test slopes triggered loose wet sluffs that entrained the top 6 to 8 inches of wet snow at noon. 

Photos 1 and 2: Loose wet sluffs triggered by ski cuts on a S aspect at 6900 ft. @ noon.

Photo 3: Mid shin deep wet snow on a S aspect at 6600 ft. at 10:30 am.

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