Snowpit and observations from Silver Peak

Location Name: 
Silver Peak
Region: 
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sat, 02/25/2012 - 00:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 13' 26.976" N, 120° 14' 28.212" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Test pit indicated that the near surface crust/facet combo weak layer within the upper portion of the snowpack remains a dormant weak layer in this area. This snowpack structure is similar to many other Sierra Crest locations within the forecast area.

Breakable crust conditions existed on W-NW-N-NW-E aspects in this area up to at least 8,100'. On SE-S-SW aspects, melt freeze snow surface conditions remained frozen at 8,000' at 12:30 pm. Areas of sun exposure and wind protection at 7,200' and below held 1 to 2 inches of supportable wet surface snow at 1 pm.

The snowpack below 7,000' is getting very thin in this area with many bare spots on all but shaded N aspects.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Northwest
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: