Observations from Rubicon Peak

Location Name: 
Rubicon Peak
Region: 
West Shore Area
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 04/12/2013 - 12:05
Location Map: 
United States
38° 59' 26.88" N, 120° 7' 43.248" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Evidence of a decent overnight refreeze of surface snow was noted in this area with a 3 to 5 inch thick surface melt-freeze crust in this area on all aspects up to the high point of travel at 9,100'. The thickness of the melt-freeze crust increased with elevation. Unfrozen wet snow existed below this surface crust. By 12:15pm on E aspects below 8,300', the crust was fully melted and the snowpack was becoming unsupportable for a person on skis. On N-NW aspects the snow surface had experienced less melting and remained supportable down to the lower limit of connected snow patches in this area at about 7,100'.

Photo 1: Ankle deep boot penetration on an E aspect at 9,080' at 12:05pm (38.98895, -120.13306).

Photo 2: Mid calf deep boot penetration and marginally supportable conditions on skis on an E aspect at 8,360' at 12:15pm (noted lat/long).

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
South