Observations from Mt. Tallac

Location Name: 
Mt. Tallac
Region: 
Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay)
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 03/18/2013 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 54' 50.112" N, 120° 6' 0.684" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Snowpit test targeting previous persistent instability associated with near crust facets was gathered today nearby the site of snowpit data collected in this area on March 11. Snowpit tests and data revealed significant rounding and improved stability of previous near crust facet layers in this area since March 11. Melt water from the warm temps this past week had not reached the depth of the old near crust facet layer. Future instability on previously existing weak layers in this area has become unlikely.

Little to no wet snow formed today on N-NE aspects between 6,400' and 9,100' in this area. Full shade areas remained frozen while sun exposed areas held less than 1 inch of wet surface snow at 1pm.

Wet snow was observed on E-SE-S aspects today with 1 to 3 inches of wet surface snow on top of supportable melt-freeze crust at 1pm between 7,800' and 9,100'. Below 7,800' the snowpack was in a full height isothermal melt state with no frozen phase melt-freeze crust present at 1pm. HS between 6,400' and 7,800 on these aspects ranged from 6 inches to 3 feet. Despite the full height wet snow with no frozen crust, the low elevation snowpack remained supportable to skier weight at 1pm.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: 

A few high level clouds.