Testpit from Rubicon Peak

Location Name: 
Rubicon Peak
Region: 
West Shore Area
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 04/27/2012 - 10:50
Location Map: 
United States
38° 59' 21.264" N, 120° 7' 59.556" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

New snow amounts in this area ranged from a trace at 7,000' to 5 inches at 9,000'. Wind loaded areas above 8,500' held up to 12 inches of new snow. Wet snow exists below the melt freeze crust at the base of the new snow in all areas. No evidence of instability observed during the morning hours, but rapid warming and strong incoming solar radiation was starting to affect the surface snow on N-NE-E aspects at 11 am. Small skier triggered roller balls occurred at that time. It was clear that additional daytime warming during the afternoon hours was likely to create areas of instability on all aspects.

Significant depletion of the snowpack has occurred below 7,500' in this area over the past week due to warm air temperatures and rain.

Video: ECTN results on wind slab, still cold unmelted snow during the morning hours.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

20120427 Rubicon Peak ECTN results.MOV

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
North
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: