Snow conditions on Lincoln Ridge

Location Name: 
Lincoln Ridge
Region: 
Yuba Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Tue, 02/08/2011 - 11:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 35' 22.0272" N, 120° 29' 2.5116" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

On the more north and easterly aspects, a crust that was thin and breakable in some areas and firm and supportable in others existed below 7400 ft. On the shaded true north aspects, this crust gave way to some areas where 3-4 inches of softer snow existed on the surface up to 7700 ft. On the other aspects, a much thicker and frozen melt-freeze crust existed at all elevations. Near treeline the east winds had scoured the snow surface on the N-NE-E aspects.

Below the surface the older crusts continue to deteriorate; however, the facets that had formed near these crusts have started to gain some strength. Bonds within the most recent snow and between these old crusts and the most recent snow seem to be gaining strength as well. Stability tests, hand pits, and ski cuts on test slopes revealed no signs of lingering instability in this area.

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Cooling
Wind Direction: 
Northeast
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

Some very light snow flurries (more just a few flakes blowing around than flurries) started to occur during the morning. These seemed more widespread east of the crest. The winds stayed strong and consistent during the morning. It looked like things started to clear up some around mid day.