Observations from Jake's

Location Name: 
Jake's Peak
Region: 
West Shore Area
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 01/04/2016 - 13:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 58' 2.172" N, 120° 7' 3.9864" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Obvious avalanche path
Terrain Trap
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Warm and humid afternoon on Jake's with winds and precip increasing shortly after 12pm. 

Surface snow on both NE and E aspects below 7800ft was becoming sticky, and above 7800ft remained cold and dry. No NSF or SH observed in this area. 12/24 crust evident at all elevations, and especially on E facing avalanche path (from S of summit) where it was 10-15cm from the surface due to previous wind scouring. Facets just under this crust observed from 7800ft to summit on NE and to a lesser extent E aspects.

At 8600ft on an opening in trees on NE aspect, ECTN down 30cm on facets below 12/24 crust, with collapse under shovel but no propagation. Snow above crust remains 4F to F hard without showing slab characteristics. Just below summit rocks, HS observed 200-250cm, with 2x PST(end) 70/100 down 40cm on facets below 12/24 crust. Again, snow above 12/24 crust remains soft and hasn't developed slab characteristics, and here the crust was stronger than in the trees.

A few recent D1 loose wet avalanches observed just above road on N/NE aspects between Eagle Falls and Bayview. Large enough to require Caltrans cleanup but not enough to call D2. I didn't notice these while driving to Jake's TH and they were fresh enough that they may have occured while we were skiing.

 

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