Wet Snow, Facets, and a Weak Snowpack near Red Lake

Location Name: 
South of Red Lake
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Wed, 01/29/2014 - 14:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 41' 30.7248" N, 119° 58' 10.0812" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Rapid warming
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Wet, unconsolidated, weak snow existed throughout the entire snowpack up to 8500 ft. in this area today. In many places my skis would sink all the way to the ground as I skinned or anytime I tried to make a turn. Several layers of weak facetted snow still exist, but now they are wet layers of facets which makes them even weaker as long as they stay wet. Skier triggered shooting cracks and collapsing occurred on several N-NE aspects between 7600 ft. and 8500 ft. Snowpit tests also indicated that the wet weak snowpack has started to destabilize. In some tests fractures easily traveled through the wet facet layers.

Photo: A skier triggered crack the length of the ski pole.

Video: ECTP on the bottom wet facet layer on N facing slope at 8400 ft. 

Snowpack photos: 
Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

ECTP near Red Lake Jan 29, 2014

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: 
Cooling
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

Snow level hovered around 8400 ft. Consistent rain was falling below that elevation.