Surface hoar and snowpit near Brockway Summit

Location Name: 
Brockway Summit
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sat, 01/05/2013 - 10:35
Location Map: 
United States
39° 15' 28.116" N, 120° 5' 19.572" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Widespread surface hoar exists in open areas below treeline. Size of crystals decreased with elevation due to air temperature inversion over the past several days. Crystals on northerly aspects showed likely persistence through today for burial under new snowfall tonight and tomorrow. Crystal size ranged from 4-6 mm at snowpit location (7,730') to 2-2.5 cm 600 vertical feet lower on the slope.

Despite a relatively shallow snowpack in this area (3 to 4.5 feet), no increased triggering potential of Dec 2 or Dec 12 facet layers was observed.

Photo 1: 4 to 6 mm surface hoar at snowpit location.

Photo 2: 2 to 2.5 cm surface hoar 600 vertical feet below snowpit location.

Video: ECTN result with no propagation on Dec 2 or Dec 12 facet layers.

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

20130105 Brockway ECTN on Dec 2 facets.MOV

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
50% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: