Surface Hoar on Echo Peak

Location Name: 
Echo Peak
Region: 
Echo Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 12/31/2015 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 51' 24.8904" N, 120° 4' 9.408" W
US


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain

Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
Snowpack photos: 
Any other comments about the observation or links to outside pages that have more info on the observation: 

Surface conditions on in Echo Peak area ranged from soft new snow to firm crusts on windscoured ridges. Near ridgeline upper elevation north and east facing terrain was fairly windscoured. Despite temps below freezing south facing slopes developed a thin crust by the afternoon. Surface hoar observed in a variety of locations and aspects above roughly 7500 feet to summit plateau. 

Photo 1: Surface hoar (5mm) on near treeline north facing terrain before noon.

Photo 2:  Surface hoar (6-8mm) on flat to south facing ridgeline at 8500 feet at 3pm. 

Photo 3: Solid coverage on the Crystal Range. Day appeared mostly clear to the West but fog like clouds hung over the eastshore mountains of Tahoe and briefly enveloped the Echo Peak area. 

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: