Wet snow on Hidden Peak

Location Name: 
Hidden Peak
Region: 
West Shore Area
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 01/25/2013 - 11:15
Location Map: 
United States
38° 58' 32.25" N, 120° 7' 29.0136" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Light rain, mist and fog conditions throughout the morning in this area. Some clearing was evident over Lake Tahoe and the Carson Range mid morning. Evidence of up to 3 inches of new snow on trees from 8,600' to summit from past 48 hours. At 11:15am mist and light rain were occurring up to at least the summit elevation of 9,160'.

Ski penetration into wet snow was 1 to 2 inches above 8,000' and abruptly increased to 6 inches below 7,800'.

Photo: Very small and inconsequential loose wet snow avalanches were triggered in response to ski cuts in areas steeper than 40 degrees on NE aspects. These started as roller balls that entrained additional snow. Entrainment involved the top 2-3 inches of snow above 8,000' and involved the top 6-8 inches of snow below 7,800'. All were less than 6 feet wide and slow moving.

Video: Weather conditions on summit at noted lat/long at 11:15am. Air temp  +1.5C.

Snowpack photos: 
Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

20130125 Hidden Peak Wx.MOV

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm
Precipitation: 
Rain
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: 

Fog with variable light rain and mist.