Warm, Wet and Windy on Trimmer Peak

Location Name: 
Trimmer Peak
Region: 
Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel)
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 01/13/2011 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 52' 42.0204" N, 119° 55' 45.5988" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
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: 

Precip began falling as snow at ~10am as low as 6600ft. Snow level observed to rise by +1000ft by mid-day.

Although new snow on windward, W aspects was wet and may have prevented Tues snow from being available for transport, Strong winds were enough to move at least the new wet snow, and possibly the drier snow beneath it.

By mid-day on the lee aspects, 10 to 15cm of new wet snow was deposited on top of drier Tues snow, which itself is on top of mostly rounded NSF. No cracking or shooting cracks, no skier intitated sluffing on steep terrain. Skier initiated roller balls widespread.

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