Icy Crusts on Waterhouse

Location Name: 
Waterhouse Peak
Region: 
Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel)
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 02/26/2015 - 13:45
Location Map: 
United States
38° 46' 39.72" N, 119° 57' 40.608" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

 A few small isolated patches of soft weak surface snow 2-4 cm deep existed on some N aspects, but hard frozen melt-freeze crusts dominated the snow surface on the northerly aspects on Waterhouse Peak. Below the surface some softer layers of weak snow do exist in the top of the snowpack. These layers rest on top of a strong thick rain crust. Right now this means there is a weak layer sitting on top of a bed surface with no slabs above it. This setup could become problematic in some areas if new snow forms a slab on top of it. Below 8500 ft. the snow cover became patchy even on the N aspects (see photo). 

Sun exposed E-SE aspects did have a 2-4 cm of soft corn snow on their surfaces this afternoon.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: 

Mostly sunny skies today. A few scattered clouds did start to appear as I was leaving around 3 pm.