Tamarack Peak Observations

Location Name: 
Tamarack Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sun, 01/31/2016 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 19' 5.7468" N, 119° 55' 17.094" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Very little evidence of any previous wind transport throughout this area in the morning.  Along the East Ridge, ski kicks and dropping small cornice chunks only resulted in loose dry snow with no signs of propagation.  A small storm slab instability did exist in most areas near treeline and below that caused cracking and isolated small shooting cracks.  This was 2'' deep and didn't cause any problems.  Loose dry sloughing did occur in most terrain over 35 degrees.

The 1/29 rain crust was present up to at least 9600'.  Tests on this layer near the East Ridge and below the Hourglass area revealed similar results.  There was 65cm of storm snow on top of this knife hard crust.  CT's did have some inconsistent failure on the bottom of the rain crust but no ECT's (4) showed that propagation was likely.  At 9260, 28 degree slope on 048 aspect PST 90/100 END on bottom of 1/29 RC.  

Photo#1:  Ski kicks showing loose dry snow with no signs of propagation.

Photo#2:  Near East Ridge at 9200'.  Rain crust with 65cm of storm snow.

Photo#3:  Small cracking around skis with some isolated minor shooting cracks due to small storm snow instability 2'' deep.   

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Northeast
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

Consistent light snow showers throughout the day.  NE winds picked up to the light to moderate range in the mid afternoon moving snow along exposed ridges and peaks.