Observations from Rubicon Peak

Location Name: 
Rubicon Peak
Region: 
West Shore Area
Date and time of observation: 
Wed, 03/18/2015 - 12:15
Location Map: 
United States
38° 59' 19.7592" N, 120° 7' 59.7576" W
See map: Google Maps
US



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

A strong overnight snow surface refreeze occurred in this area last night. The snow surface on NW-N-NE aspects remained firm and supportable upon departure from the area at 1 pm. At 12:15 pm, the snow surface on E aspects held 1 to 4 cm (0.5 to 2 inches) of wet surface snow on top of ski and boot supportable melt-freeze crust from just below the summit rock tower at ~9,100' down to the transition from continuous snow cover to patchy snow cover at ~8,200. Snow cover on NW-N-NE aspects in this area is nonexistent below 7,500', patchy between 7,500' and 7,800', and continuous above 7,800'. No signs of wet snow instability were observed.

Photo 1: Supportable conditions, 12:15 pm, E aspect, 9,100'.

Photo 2: Continuous snow cover, N aspect, 8,000'.

Photo 3: N aspect lower limit of snow cover, 7,500'.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
East