Propagation on the the PWL, Breakable crusts and some warming on Incline Lake Peak

Location Name: 
Incline Lake Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sat, 03/24/2012 - 11:45
Location Map: 
United States
39° 17' 48.7644" N, 119° 56' 20.2056" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

On the northerly aspects a breakable crust with 1-2 inches of new snow existed on the surface. Below this snow surface a 4-5 foot deep strong slab layer comprised of the March snowfall existed. The persistent weak layer is sitting at the base of this slab. Tests on this weak layer in this area still showed that it is weak and that fractures can propagate along this layer. See attached video.

On the more sun-exposed southerly aspects a firm supportable melt freeze layer existed. By noon some softening had occurred on these aspects below 8600 ft. Above this the snow surface remained frozen and firm.

Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

PST on Incline Lake Peak

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
South
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: