Point-release avalanches on Rose Knob Peak

Location Name: 
Rose Knob Peak / 3rd Creek
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 11:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 17' 15.4356" N, 119° 57' 8.748" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Rapid warming
Obvious avalanche path
Terrain Trap
Observation made by: Forecaster
Avalanche Observations
Avalanche Type: 
wet,loose,
Trigger type: 
Natural
Crown Height: 
Less than 1 ft
Aspect: 
Southeast
Weak Layer: 
Storm Snow
Terrain: 
Near Treeline
Elevation: 
8 600ft.
Bed Surface: 
Storm Snow
Avalanche Length: 
500ft.
Number of similar avalanches: 
5-10
More detailed information about the avalanche: 

Several natural point-release avalanches occured due to rapid warming caused by the intense April sunshine today. These slides occurred on a SE facing, sun exposed slope at about 10:00 AM. By 11:30 more point release slides had occurred in this area. On the E-SE-S-SW aspects the top few inches (1-4) of the snowpack became wet and heavy up to at least 9700'.

Avalanche Photos: 
Weather Observations
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: 

Intense solar radiation from the April sun causing rapid warming in the snowpack even though the air temperature remained below freezing.