Observations from Red Lake

Location Name: 
Red Lake - South Ridge
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 04/01/2013 - 11:30
Location Map: 
United States
38° 41' 20.04" N, 119° 58' 38.172" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

New snow amounts in this area ranged from 4 inches at 7,800' to 9 inches at 8,800'. No evidence of slab instability was observed in either formal or informal observations. A small amount of free water production at the snow surface created by solar radiation during sun breaks was allowing for cohesion and roller ball activity. The storm snow layer was relatively warm (-1C) and well bonded to the melt freeze layer at the old/new snow interface. No evidence of near crust faceting was observed at this interface.

Above 8,400' the melt-freeze layer below the storm snow was frozen and very supportable. Between 8,400' and 8,100' this melt-freeze layer was marginally supportable. Below 8,100' this melt-freeze layer had not refrozen and was unsupportable to the weight of a skier.

Photo 1: Ski cuts producing no evidence of instability on NNE aspect test slope at 8,450', 36 degree slope angle (38.69093, -119.97365).

Photo 2: Roller balls to 1+ foot diameter from ski cut on NNW aspect test slope at 8,800', 38 degree slope angle (38.68913, -119.97657).

Photo 3: Natural occurring roller balls on NE aspect of Elephant's Back ~9,400'.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
75% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Northwest
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: 

Occational very light snow showers in between sun breaks.