Mt. Rose Observations

Location Name: 
East Ridge Tamarack Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 03/01/2012 - 08:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 18' 49.7916" N, 119° 54' 55.3392" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent avalanche activity
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: 

Limited visibility and very windy conditions today.  Lots of cracking, shooting cracks, collpsing of the storm snow.  Around 80cm of new storm snow since Monday with lots of wind loading since Tuesday.  CT's were showing a couple weaknesses within the storm snow, the most concerning was the density change down 60cm.  Also showing weakness was the facets below the buried old January crust, this layer was reactive with CT's in the moderate range and with 1 ECT in the hard range-both sudden collapse.  PST 27/100 END down 85cm on facets below January crust.  There was limited natural avalanche activity observed although visibility was poor all morning. 

Picture:  Cornices failing easily with shooting cracks.  Cornices causing small soft slabs in storm snow.

Video #1:  East Ridge 9300'.

Video #2:  ECTP-24 Q2 down 60cm on density change from Tuesday.

Snowpack photos: 
Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

mtrose2012-3-1 005.avi

mtrose2012-3-1 003.avi

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Strong
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

Strong to gale force SW winds throughout the morning hours.  Light snowfall.