Soft Snow, Crusts, and Almost Corn on Rubicon

Location Name: 
Rubicon Peak
Region: 
West Shore Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sat, 02/14/2015 - 12:30
Location Map: 
United States
38° 59' 26.916" N, 120° 7' 45.624" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Below 8000 ft. snow cover remains sparse on all aspects in this area. Above 8000 ft. 3-4 ft. of snow existed on northerly aspects with a little less on the more E-SE aspects. A firm melt-freeze crust existed above a few inches of soft cold snow in most areas on the northerly aspects today up to 9000 ft. Some patches of soft cold surface snow did still remain on more open N facing slopes above 8700 ft. A thick frozen rain crust resides below the soft surface snow with wet and moist snow to the ground below that crust on the northerly aspects. Snowpit data indicated a strong snowpack with good bonding on the northerly aspects. Some soft wet snow did form on N and NE aspects by noon in areas below 8300 ft.

On the E-SE aspects 2-4 inches of soft wet snow that has almost become corn existed by mid morning. This soft wet snow rested on top of a supportable base. Ski cuts on steep E-SE facing slopes only produced very small pinwheels and roller balls.

Photo 1: 2-3 inches of wet surface snow on an E aspect @ 8400 ft. @ noon. This photo came from the location attached to this observation.

Photo 2: Snow coverage on a NE aspect @ 7800 ft.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: