Observations from Silver Peak

Location Name: 
Silver Peak
Region: 
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 02/15/2016 - 11:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 13' 18.1776" N, 120° 14' 43.8432" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Snowpit data collected near treeline on a N aspect at 8,000' along the E ridge of Silver Peak did not reveal any problematic weak layers within the top 80 cm of the 3 m deep snowpack. Several rain crusts were noted without any problematic associated near crust faceting.

Between 11:30 and 11:45 am SE aspects between 8,400' and 7,400' were noted to hold 2 to 5 cm (1 to 2 inches) of surface wet snow in melt phase on top of 8 to 10 cm (3 to 4 inches) of additional melt-freeze crust ranging from 1F to K hard. Across this elevation range conditions were very supportable at that time. Between 7,600' and 7,400' up to 5 cm (2 inches) of surface wet snow on top of 10 cm (4 inches) of 1F hard melt-freeze crust in melt phase was becoming borderline skier supportable in isolated areas where the overall snow depth was only around 30 cm (1 foot). No signs of wet snow instability were observed.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Northeast