Loading of weak layers on Tamarack Peak.

Location Name: 
Tamarack Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Tue, 12/02/2014 - 12:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 19' 13.4976" N, 119° 55' 24.9708" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

HS at 9,500' in this area is over double what is present at 9,000'. Weak, loose grain basal facets are becoming stressed under the increasing snow load. Propagation Saw Test (PST) results indicate that the combination of basal weak layer and overlying slab hold the necessary characteristics to propagate once weak layer collapse is triggered. As significant new snow amounts are added to the snowpack over the next 36 hrs, a significant additional load will further stress the current snowpack structure.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Strong
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Greater than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

Very interesting snow level variability today due to cold pools of air holding snow levels lower than forecast in specific areas. Descending Mt. Rose Hwy at 2pm, snow level was at 7,600' on the Tahoe side. Ascending Brockway Summit (Hwy 267) at 2:15pm, snow level was at 7,200' on the Tahoe side with snow all the way down into Martis Valley/Truckee (5,900') on the north side.