Snowpit and surface hoar on Silver Peak

Location Name: 
Silver Peak
Region: 
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 12/16/2010 - 13:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 13' 19.488" N, 120° 14' 46.698" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Widespread surface hoar existed at all elevations and aspects in this drainage. The most well developed SH existed on open northerly aspects below treeline with the grains reaching up to 5cm in some areas. At 2 pm as we were descending, the SH was still present even on sun exposed southerly aspects. With light winds and low solar input today and snow forecasted tomorrow, this surface hoar will likely get buried in this area.

The rain crust buried on Dec 14th did not react in this area. Below 8000 ft. this crust is very thick (10-12 inches) and it quickly gets thinner above 8000 ft.

Photos: Surface hoar grains in the Silver Peak area.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

MVI 0788

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: