Wet snow and near surface facets in Ward Canyon

Location Name: 
Grouse Rocks
Region: 
Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area
Date and time of observation: 
Wed, 02/26/2014 - 12:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 8' 4.6932" N, 120° 14' 30.7104" W
See map: Google Maps
US



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

Cloud cover last night allowed for a "soft" refreeze of wet surface snow from yesterday that was well frozen, very supportable, but also allowed easy edging on skis. Foggy conditions and above freezing air temperatures today were allowing for moisture to wet near surface facets that existed below treeline on N aspects in this area. At 8,300', only the top 1 cm of near surface facets was wet with an additional 5-7 cm of dry weak faceted snow below. At 7,500' more wet snow existed with wet near surface facets up to 4 cm deep on N aspects. New snow is likely to bond decently to wet snow surfaces with cooling air temperatures forecast as the storm progresses.

Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

20140226 Surface snow near Grouse Rocks

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
South
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

Snowfall focused along the Sierra Crest with very little spill over to the east. Snowfall rates observed at 1cm per hour at times. Snow level 6,500'-7,000' at mid day.