Relay Peak Observations

Location Name: 
Mt. Rose Wilderness
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Wed, 03/30/2016 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 18' 53.604" N, 119° 56' 49.2504" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Cold and blustery day in the Mt. Rose area with mostly cloudy conditions with little sun breaks throughout the day.  Up to 1'' of new snow overnight in this area with moderate NE winds scouring exposed N-NE-E terrain. Wind slabs were building through today at the highest elevation peaks and ridges.  These wind slabs were limited to about 10' downslope and no cracking or weakness was associated with them.  Solar radiation was very limited into the early afternoon with no loose wet instabilities observed.

Photo#1:  Moderate NE winds scouring the east face of Relay Peak to old melt freeze crust and loading the west face and building out cornices.  Wind slabs were built up to 2' deep but only extended about 10' downslope.

Photo#2:  Small cornice failure off of ridge on West aspect, 10,200'.

Photo#3:  ECT's done on wind slabs in most wind loaded terrain right off of ridge.  ECTN's with propagation not likely on 1.5' wind slabs.  Wind slab was 4F hardness with F hard snow below.

 

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

Low level and high level clouds throughout the day with limited visibility.  Light snow flurries at times into the afternoon.