Wet Snow and PST Results from Mt. Rose

Location Name: 
East Ridge Relay Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Tue, 04/17/2012 - 11:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 18' 48.06" N, 119° 56' 25.584" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Rapid warming
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

A light freeze of the surface snow from radiational cooling of the snowpack overnight, nighttime temps were in the low 30's from the nearby remote sensors.  By mid morning most aspects below 9500' were punchy, soft and moist.  Lots of evidence of wet snow instabilities since the last freeze on Sunday morning.  Some ski triggered roller ball activity today with sticky wet snow conditions below 9600'.  Most wet snow instabilities were limited due to the increased clouds by noon and the SW winds that were keeping it cooler above 9600'.  Some good corn snow conditions above 9600' in this area today.  

Video:  PST 63/130 END down 130cm on old Jan faceted layer.  9778', North aspect.  Still showing that propagation is possible on this layer.  GPS coordinates stated above.  Still a very winter snowpack below the warmed surface at these upper north aspects. 

9700' 10:30am, 35 degree slope, SE aspect

AirTemp= 5.5c

Tsurf =0

T-10= 0

T-20= -.5

At 10:30am the upper 4-6'' were getting moist.  ECTN on the old snow/new snow melt freeze crust 

At the same location at 1pm, snow was moist 8'' deep to the old melt freeze crust.  ECTN on the old snow/new snow melt freeze crust.

 

Snowpack photos: 
Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

RelayPeak2012 4 17 002

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: 

High thin clouds increasing to 90-100% by noon limiting solar radiation.  SW winds were light below 9000' and Moderate above 9500' on ridges and peaks.