Rain crust obs from Tamarack Peak/Fireplug

Location Name: 
Fireplug
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Tue, 02/02/2016 - 10:45
Location Map: 
United States
39° 19' 41.4732" N, 119° 54' 25.0488" 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: 

Observations targeting the Jan 29 rain crust in this area today revealed a crust sandwich just above the main portion of the rain crust layer. Snow crystals within this layer were in a rounded state, just starting to facet. Snowpit tests did not indicate a current problematic weak layer around this rain crust.

Otherwise, snow surface conditions on northerly aspects remained cold. A surface sun crust had formed yesterday on true south aspects, but not on east aspects. Significant wind effects from recent NE winds were observed above treeline, near treeline, and in some more exposed below treeline areas. New wind slab formation from SW winds was minimal, but significant amounts of unconsolidated snow exist on the surface on all aspects, available for wind transport.

Photo: Thin rain crust above main thicker rain crust.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour