Warm wet snow in Cathedral bowl

Location Name: 
Cathedral Bowl Tallac
Region: 
Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay)
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 02/11/2016 - 12:30
Location Map: 
United States
38° 53' 49.8192" N, 120° 5' 39.0156" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Rapid warming
Observation made by: Public
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

On the way up there was a variety of snow conditions within tree line, melt freeze crusts, powdery snow on N-NE aspects, and wet/corn snow on E-SE aspects. Around 11:30 we broke tree line and most of the surface melt freeze crusts had started to break down from the rising ambient temps and solar radiation . Above tree line on S-SE aspects there was anywhere from 2-6 inches of wet snow above the rain crust. As we reached the ridge line the wind was blowing steady at 18 mph with gusts to 22mph. No sign of transporting snow from wind.

Only signs of instability was some ski cut pinwheels on the way down around 8300' on E aspect.

Picture 1: Melt freeze crust from last night freeze

Picture 2: 15cm boot pen @7300' on N aspect 10:30am

Picture 3: Pinwheels @8300' E @1:30

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
50% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
West
Accumulation rate: 
None