Variable snowpack condtions on Silver Peak

Location Name: 
Silver Peak
Region: 
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area
Date and time of observation: 
Wed, 01/18/2012 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 13' 22.3032" N, 120° 14' 46.5" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

A highly variable snowpack exists on the northerly aspects of Silver Peak. In all areas where snow exists up to 8200 ft in this area, some form of rain or melt-freeze crusts/layers exist near the surface of the snowpack. In some areas this layer remains thick and supportable and comprises most of the snowpack. In other areas it is thin and breakable with a layer of weak facets around it. The three photos attached to this page show three different snowpacks all within a few hundred yards of each other.

Photo 1: Shallow snowpack on a NE facing slope near treeline at about 8200 ft where wind scouring had removed a significant amount of snow. Extended column test result: ECTN at 22 taps failing just below the crust

Photo 2: Deeper snowpack on a more sheltered N facing slope at about 8000 ft below treeline. Extended column test results: 2 x ECTX

Photo 3: Deeper snowpack on a more open N facing slope below treeline at 7900 ft. Extended column test results: ECTP at 3 taps failing just below the crust, and ECTN at 2 taps failing just below the crust.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Cloud Cover: 
50% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: