Mt. Rose Observations

Location Name: 
Tamarack Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 12/31/2009 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 18' 50.544" N, 119° 54' 56.484" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Most areas I encountered today had a well bonded snowpack.  Most surface snow conditions had some sort of wind texture or wind crust on the surface.  In more heavily wind loaded areas there were shooting cracks and cracking around skis, hard wind slabs are developing 6-12'' deep and continuing to grow with the moderate SW winds.  Many of these areas with hollow sounding noises.     

Photo #1: Cornice formation and wind loading from the moderate SW winds.

Photo#2: On top of Fireplug.  Moderate snow transport into the chute and around the area forming some cornices.  Many locations with shooting cracks and cracking around skis.  Hard wind slab developing, 6-12'' deep and continuing to grow with wind transport of more snow.  Much different feel to the snow on this side of valley, more wind effect.  Appeared that Fireplug has not slid in this storm cycle and couldn't see any tracks in it today.

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

ECTN

Any other comments about the observation or links to outside pages that have more info on the observation: 

 

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
50% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: