Observations from Silver Peak

Location Name: 
Silver Peak
Region: 
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 02/05/2016 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 13' 21.828" N, 120° 14' 44.052" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

20 to 25 cm of cold dry snow still existed on sheltered below treeline northerly aspects in the Silver Peak area today. This snow rests on top of a thick frozen rain crust (up to 35 cm thick in some areas) above a strong well bonded snowpack. More exposed near and above treeline slopes held a mix of wind scoured surfaces and some of these exposed aspects had been scoured back to the rain crust. Observations, ski cuts, and snowpit data, did not reveal any signs of instability on these aspects. 

On the SE-S aspects, a 5-7cm frozen melt freeze crust existed on the snow surface in the morning. Below this crust the snow remained cold and unconsolidated down to the thick rain crust. By noon the surface melt freeze crust had softened and some small loose wet pinwheels and point releases started to occur below rocks. Skier triggered pinwheels up to 50cm in diameter also started to occur on steep sun exposed aspects at this time as well. 

Photo: Wind scoured surfaces along the Silver Peak ridge. 

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest