Ophir Creek observations

Location Name: 
Ophir Creek
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Observation Date & Time: 
Saturday, March 13, 2021 - 11:00
Location: 
39.292280, -119.900096
See map: CalTopo
Is this an Avalanche Observation?: 
No
Observation made by: Forecaster

Tabs

Observation
Description of Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Conditions: 

Clear skies this morning with NE ridgetop winds well below forecast speeds. Evidence of previous drifting and redistribution of snow on the ground by NE winds was evident near treeline and along ridgetops, but none was occurring this morning.

Solar aspects along with moderate angle northerly aspects were undergoing surface melt today. A thin breakable crust had formed overnight from refreeze of yesterday's snow surface melt. By about 11:30 am this crust at 9,000' had melted leaving transitional state wet snow over dry snow, not separated by a melt-freeze crust.

Northerly aspects were holding unconsolidated recent storm snow unaffected by melt in well shaded areas only. One did not need to venture far into any areas of sun exposure including moderate slope angle N aspects to encounter snow surface melt.

No signs of instability were observed in this area during the morning hours.

Hide Snowpack Details
Persistent Weak Layers: 
Not present
Hide Terrain Details
Terrain: aspects: 
N
S
Hide Weather Details
Elevation of Observation: 
8000 - 9000 ft.
Above 9000 ft.
Blowing Snow: 
None
Wind Direction: 
Northeast
Wind Speed: 
Light
Sky Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
BESbswy