Observations from Red Lake Peak

Location Name: 
Red Lake Peak
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sun, 03/06/2011 - 14:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 43' 1.0524" N, 119° 58' 44.7204" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Although pit showed potential for both initiation and propagation, temps cooled before we later skied N aspect at 9600 ft. Similar layering observed here, but no signs of instability. Ski cuts on steep, wind loaded slopes produced no results.

By 4pm when we committed to E aspect from 9600ft back to hwy 88, temps had cooled much more, and no wet instabilities observed.

No signs of natural activity observed, though some E aspects had roller balls and small loose wet surface slides around noon.

Snow level @ mid day ~7600ft. Dropped to below Hope Valley 7200ft by our departure @ 4:30pm.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Cooling
Wind Direction: 
West
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

BKN clouds with radiation balance favoring heat observed to mid day, when cloud cover increased and cloud ceiling dropped. Precip increased to 1cm per hour in late afternoon, with 2mm graupel.