Snowpit from Horse Canyon

Location Name: 
Horse Canyon
Region: 
Bear Valley Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sat, 03/02/2013 - 14:45
Location Map: 
United States
38° 29' 45.852" N, 120° 2' 8.952" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

A very stable snowpack exists in this area. The rain crust that formed following the January 24-26 rain event is thick and very strong. This ice layer was impossible to dig through, requiring cutting with a saw to remove a section of the rain crust to access the snowpack layers below. There is no evidence of faceting above or below this rain crust. Old near surface facet layers that existed below the rain crust have rounded and gained strength. The surface wind slab was very well bonded to the rain crust below. The snowpack in this area seems in very good condition to handle upcoming new snow loading events.

Wet surface snow was noted on flat terrain at 7,100' at 9:30 am. By 3pm, up to 3 inches of wet surface snow was noted in all sun exposed areas below 8,000'. This included the most sun exposed areas on northerly aspects as well.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
50% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: 

A slow increase in cloud cover was noted throughout the day.