Observations from Tamarack Peak

Location Name: 
Tamarack Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 04/11/2013 - 13:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 19' 0.1308" N, 119° 55' 4.0404" W
US


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Rapid warming
Obvious avalanche path

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

Snow level in this area last night appeared to be around 8,300'. At 8,300' a trace of new snow existed while above 9,000' 1 to 1.5 cm of new snow existed. In all sun exposed areas below 9,500' this new snow was rapidly assimilating with the melt-freeze layer below. Above 9,500' on true N aspects only, the new snow remained cold and had yet to enter melt phase at 1pm.

Photo 1: New snow, 1cm deep beginning to enter melt phase on an open NE aspect at 9,600' at noon.

Photo 2: Very small and minor skier triggered wet loose avalanche activity on the E aspect Proletariat Face at 9,700' in a pocket of 40 degree slope angle (noted lat/long) occurring at 1pm.

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

Thick morning cloud cover had cleared to 0% to 10% cloud cover over the forecast area by mid/late morning.