Persistent weak layer observationson the Far East Ridge of Tamarack Peak

Location Name: 
Tamarack Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sat, 03/31/2012 - 12:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 18' 48.2364" N, 119° 54' 19.3428" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Breakable crusts and a dusting of new snow existed on the snow surface in this area this morning. The snow just underneath these crusts remained wet and had not refrozen yet. Even though the winds were very strong, very little snow was being transported due to the crusts holding the snow in place. Below the surface a dense strong snowpack exists all the way down to the old persistent weak layer which is buried about 140 cm down in this area. Tests on the upper snowpack showed stable results (ECTN 14 down 10 cm and ECTN 22 down 20cm). A propagation saw test on the deeply buried weak layer showed that propagation remains possible on this layer (PST 40/140 END down 140cm). This test result showed only marginal improvement over a test on this layer performed on 3/18/12 (see this observation). The cut length in this test represented 28% of the column length and the previous cut length represented 21%. Both of these results indicate that propagation remains likely on this layer.

Video 1: Propagation Saw Test on the deeply buried PWL

Video 2: Extended Column Test on the upper portion of the snowpack

Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

Propagation on the the PWL on the Far East ridge of Tamarack Peak

2012 03 31 FET 003

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

Skies started out partly cloudy with no precipitation this moring. By noon clouds covered 100% of the sky and it had started snowing at about 1 to 1.5 inches per hour.