Ongoing instability of persistent weak layer on Silver Peak

Location Name: 
Silver Peak
Region: 
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sat, 03/03/2012 - 10:45
Location Map: 
United States
39° 13' 26.508" N, 120° 14' 28.716" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

A crown profile performed at the end of "en echelon" cracking in lower angle terrain adjacent to a natural avalanche from March 1 indicates that the known persistent weak layer of crusts and facets just below the recent storm snow is still active in this area and that the avalanche failed on this weak layer. ECTP results on the crown indicate that propagation is still likely to occur once this weak layer is collapsed.

By late morning natural rolled balls were occurring off of exposed rocks on southerly aspects due to daytime warming.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

201200303 Silver Peak crown profile.MOV

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