Icy Conditions on Red Lake Peak

Location Name: 
Red Lake Peak
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Wed, 01/21/2015 - 01:30
Location Map: 
United States
38° 43' 12.72" N, 119° 58' 28.704" W
See map: Google Maps
US



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

Most slopes remained frozen and firm today in this area, but some isolated areas of soft wet snow formed on some southerly aspects (SE, S, SW) between 11 and 12:30 on slopes with direct sun exposure. Once some thin cloud cover started to form over the area this softer snow began refreezing. Slopes without significant southern exposure (ESE, E, NE, N, NW, W, WSW) and direct sunlight did not soften at all and remained frozen, hard, and icy all day. We did not see any signs of wet snow instabilities today.

Snowpit data and observations on the northerly aspects revealed that the crust facet combo still exists in the snowpack in this area. However, data also showed that the facets around the crust are gaining strength and rounding. Tests targeting this layer also indicated that it is gaining strength.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Northeast
More detailed information about the weather: 

Some thin clouds started to form around 12:30 pm. Light NE winds persisted all day.