New Snow Above Wet Facets on Silver Peak

Location Name: 
Silver Peak
Region: 
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 01/30/2014 - 12:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 13' 23.9556" N, 120° 14' 37.6116" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent avalanche activity
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Between 7500 and 8000 ft. 7 to 9 inches of new snow had accumulated since yesterday. This snow rested above a very wet and slushy layer of old faceted snow. Since this layer of old faceted snow remained wet, it was still weak and numerous tests showed that it could easily break. Some skier triggered cracking and collapsing occurred. Some tests showed that fractures could still travel through the snow and others indicated that they would not travel very far. Once this wet snow refreezes in a few days it should gain strength. Below 7500 ft. 4-5 inches of snow had accumulated on top of bare ground in may places. Where there was previous snow cover at these lower elevations, the new snow accumulated on top of a wet slushy snowpack like that seen above 7500 ft. 

Snowpack photos: 
Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

ECTP on Wet Facets on Silver Peak

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