Loose snow sluffs, unconsolidated surface snow, and propagation along the PWL on Tamarack Peak

Location Name: 
Tamarack Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sun, 03/18/2012 - 14:45
Location Map: 
United States
39° 18' 48.3552" N, 119° 54' 20.3472" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

6-12 inches of light, cold unconsolidated snow existed on top of the snowpack in the Mt. Rose area today.  Underneath this snow the snowpack grew consistently more dense and strong until at about 160 cm down where the old persistent weak layers existed. Tests on this old weak layer still indicated that once it breaks, fractures can propagate along this layer (see video). PST result - PST END 32/160 160cm down. Tests on the recent storm snow showed that the weaknesses that formed during the storm are continuing to gain strength (ECT N's). 

Cornices dropped on steep wind loaded test slopes and ski cuts on steep wind loaded test slopes on N-NE-E aspects did not result in any cracking or slab avalanches. Some long running loose snow sluffs did occur on these slopes as a result of both the cornice drops and the ski cuts (see photo).

Snowpack photos: 
Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

2012 03 18 rose 028

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
75% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Cooling
Wind Direction: 
Northwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

Continuous light wind transport of snow during the day making the snowfall look heavier than it was. Only about 2-3 inches of new snow fell during the day. Skies starting to clear late this afternoon.