Breakable crusts. melt-freeze conditions, and some soft snow on Tamarack Peak

Location Name: 
Tamarack Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Wed, 02/22/2012 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 19' 28.8156" N, 119° 55' 15.9348" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

A mix of snow conditions existed on Tamarack Peak. On the NW-N-NE aspects, scoured surfaces existed on the open slopes exposed to the easterly winds like the Hourglass (see photo 1). On the more sheltered northerly slopes above 9000 ft, softer snow existed with a layer of more dense snow on the surface. Between 9200ft and 9000ft this more dense snow on the surface changed to a breakable crust (see photo 2). Below the surface the recent snow still rests on top of a combination of crusts and facets; however, extended column tests and other observations showed that fractures are becoming hard and hard to initiate in this area.

On the sun-exposed southerly aspects below 9200 ft. a few inches of soft wet snow existed on the snow surface by 1pm. Below this surface snow melt-freeze conditions remained.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
North
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: