Observations from Talking Mountain

Location Name: 
Talking Mountain
Region: 
Echo Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Wed, 12/08/2010 - 13:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 49' 52.356" N, 120° 3' 46.908" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent avalanche activity
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Rapid warming
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Pic 1: Small cornices had built right up to the time of my arrival, but wet new snow at elevations observed (8600 and below) was preventing any additional wind transport. The cornice debris seen in background fell prior to my arrival, and may have been an intentional human trigger.

Pic 2: Dropping small cornices failed to initiate slab fractures, but did entrain enough wet snow to bury someone. Deposition on the uphill side of trees was approximately 120cm deep - and the snow continued to run downhill and out of sight  to either side of trees. This was very repeatable along ridge between Becker and Talking.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

Snow and strong winds were seen at Echo Summit from Meyers beginning around 8am with snow hitting Meyers by 8:30, turning to rain by 9:30. At 12:00, the snow line was observed at 7,000ft. By 14:00, it was raining at 8,000ft.