Warm morning at Emerald Bay

Location Name: 
Emerald Bay Chutes
Region: 
Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay)
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 03/17/2016 - 10:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 57' 32.994" N, 120° 7' 23.6064" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Rapid warming
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Very warm morning on Jakes/Emerald Bay Chutes, with temps already above freezing upon our arrival at 8am. Signs of a good overnight refreeze with firm, supportable snow. 20cm of melt freeze crust at drainage points and 10cm off to sides and above 8400ft. Snow below this surface layer remains cold and unconsolidated. Later in the morning it was easy to get roller balls to initiate small loose wet slides at this interface. Narrow window for good skiing conditions, with firm skinning quickly turning to ankle deep wet snow.

Pics: Several large cornices, all at mid-elevations. Higher peaks in Desolation not observed to have large cornices.

While driving back to South Tahoe at noon, the N facing slide path just before Bayview Campground was continuing to shed small loose wet activity, even though plowed debris piles indicate previous activity here.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
More detailed information about the weather: 

Thin layer of woodsmoke hovering over Tahoe Basin during early hours indicated likely temperature inversion