Mt. Rose Observations

Location Name: 
East Ridge Tamarack Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Wed, 03/02/2011 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 18' 47.34" N, 119° 54' 43.398" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

2-4'' of new snow at the trailhead with 6''+ in wind loaded terrain.  Small wind slabs were beginning to form and grow throughout the morning into the early afternoon.  There was cracking and shooting cracks in some wind loaded terrain along ridges with some small wind slabs reactive to a ski kicks and ski cuts.  These newly formed wind slabs were more dense than the old snow surface.  Skipen was 2-4'' and Bootpen was 16'' .  In other wind loaded terrain cornice drops did not produce results on the newly formed wind slabs and stability tests did not indicate propagation was likely on this interface.  SW winds were strong with gusts in the extreme range along the ridges.

Photos:  Ski kicks in wind loaded terrain showing small wind slab failures.

Videos:  Wind loading on ridge at 9400' and ECT results.

Snowpack photos: 
Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

mtrose2011 3 2 004

mtrose2011 3 2 003

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

Snow level 7000' at 10:30am rising into the early afternoon to 7500'.  Strong SW winds consistent throughout the morning/early afternoon.  The Carson Range was not favored with this storm system but did get some spillover throughout the day.