Wet snow all aspects - Mt. Judah

Location Name: 
Mt. Judah
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 03/12/2015 - 13:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 18' 22.2336" N, 120° 18' 52.2972" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Wet snow was present on all aspects at mid day on Mt. Judah up to the summit at 8,200'. Recent new snow, now settled to around 1 cm (0.5 inches) in most areas was rapidly assimilating with the crust and wet snow in the top 15 cm (6 inches) of the snowpack. Minor skier triggered roller balls occurred while descending the E face of Mt. Judah at 12:30 pm. Conditions were marginally skier supportable at that time. Isolated, localized wet snow collapse was triggered three times while skinning through an open, low angle E aspect at 7,860' (noted lat/long) at 1 pm. Snowpack collapse was occurring within surface wet snow where a 2 cm (1 inch) thick melting 4F hard crust sat over 10 cm (4 inches) of wet snow on top of P hard 10 cm (4 inch) thick crust. Overall evidence of wet snow instability was minimal at mid day.

Photo 1: Area where isolated, localized wet snow collapses occurred (noted lat/long).

Photo 2: 10 cm thick large grain wet snow weak layer that was collapsing.

Photo 3: 1 cm of wet snow over supportable crust on N aspect at 8,100'.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Strong
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
East