Mt. Rose Observations

Location Name: 
Tamarack Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 02/07/2011 - 13:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 18' 54.8712" N, 119° 55' 2.154" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

There was a small window of solar aspects softening in the late morning hours providing some nice soft snow condtions up to 9200'.  This was short lived as the NW winds began to pick up midday and the snow surface began to cool off.  Shaded aspects, N-E, at the upper exposed elevations had been scoured down to the old snow surface and were firm and crusty.  More protected shaded aspects were a mix of crusts and some unconsolidated snow.  I dug several hand pits thoughout the day with only 1, photo, showing a somewhat clean shear under the old snow surface crust in some loose faceted snow.  Most surface conditions are highly variable showing nothing consistent.

As the NW winds began to intensify by early afternoon some minor wind loading was occuring on N-E aspects.  Very little movement of snow was noted with not much, if any, available snow for transport. 

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Strong
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Northwest
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: 

Mostly clear skies throughout the day with 25% of the sky covered at the most at any one time with cloud cover.  The NW winds began picking up speed around 11:30 am and by early afternoon were strong with some extreme gusts into the afternoon.