Rapid warming on the West Shore Peaks.

Location Name: 
Peak 9269'
Region: 
West Shore Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sun, 04/09/2017 - 11:30
Location Map: 
United States
38° 59' 4.5924" N, 120° 7' 44.4648" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Rapid warming conditions were prevalent on West Shore Peaks this morning with signs of loose wet instability showing in areas of direct sun exposure by 10 am. Surface snow was entering melt phase in any sun exposed areas up to 8,200' on NE aspects and on solar aspects up to the summit of Peak 9,269 around 11:45 am. By noon, melt water was "raining" from snow in trees below 7,500' on NE aspects.

Signs of lingering wind slab instability existed along the summit ridge in the form of recent avalanche activity (see separate observation) and skier triggered cracking of small wind slab features on test slopes.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: