Snowpit and on the far east ridge of Tamarack Peak

Location Name: 
East Ridge of Tamarack Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sun, 02/07/2010 - 12:18
Location Map: 
United States
39° 18' 49.1328" N, 119° 54' 46.4256" 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: 

Last night's 4 inches of new snow is very light and uncohesive in most areas. The eakness due to "upside down" layering about  10 inches down is still reactive in some snow pit tests not in others. This layer seems to be gaining strength, but it is not doing it in a consistent way. The northeast winds were transporting some snow during the stronger gusts. N-NE aspects at and above treeline showed some evidence of scouring by NE wind. Cornices were more firm today. I Could still break them with a kick, but they were smaller and less "touchy". Oven to refriderator sized cornices did not trigger slabs when dropped onto the slopes below them. Ski cuts on 35-40 degree, wind-loaded, N-NE-E facing test slopes did not produce any sign of instability.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Any other comments about the observation or links to outside pages that have more info on the observation: 

 

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Northeast
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

Some bursts of graupel during the day but no accumulation. Northeast winds only transporting snow during gusts.