Patchy Snow on Red Lake Peak

Location Name: 
Red Lake Peak
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 11/24/2017 - 13:30
Location Map: 
United States
38° 42' 31.5396" N, 119° 59' 32.7048" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Patchy snow coverage exists below 8500' in the Carson Pass area. Above 8500', shared northerly aspects held between 40-80 cm (16-32") of snow. The snow surface on these aspects remained frozen into the afternoon with firm and icy conditions. Below the surface, a well-consolidated snowpack existed. Snowpit observations and tests indicated good bonding within and between the layers (ECTX, PST 100/100 @10cm on a north aspect at 9500'). The old snow near the bottom of the snowpack was moist and easily clumped together when squeezed. We observed no signs of persistent weak layers or other instabilities on these aspects.

On sun-exposed aspects, much less snow existed. Snow coverage was limited to patches interspersed with large areas of exposed ground. In the areas where snow did exist, 5-10 cm (2-4") of soft, wet snow had formed above a supportable base by mid-afternoon.

Photo 1: Moist snow near the bottom of the snowpack on a north aspect at 9500'.

Photo 2: Snow coverage in the Roundtop area on north aspects.

Photo 3: 5-10 cm (2-4") of wet snow on a south aspect at 9000' at 1:30 pm.

Photo 4: Patchy snow coverage on the SW-SE aspects of Red Lake Peak

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest