Poor snow surface refreeze on Rubicon Peak.

Location Name: 
Rubicon Peak
Region: 
West Shore Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sun, 03/20/2016 - 09:45
Location Map: 
United States
38° 59' 43.7892" N, 120° 7' 58.368" W
See map: Google Maps
US



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

Static above freezing conditions this morning on Rubicon Peak following above freeze air temperatures last night. Snow surface refreeze was nonexistent to poor on all NW-N-NE-E aspects traveled below 8,000'. In open areas there was a weak, marginally skier supportable surface crust. In areas of greater forest canopy cover, no snow surface refreeze had occurred last night. Deep wet snow that existed below 7,500' to 8,000' seemed well drained and showed minimal signs of instability. Above 8,000', a weak superficial 2 to 3 cm melt freeze crust existed that was for the most part skier supportable at 11:30 am.

Photos 1&2: Wet marginally skier supportable snow below treeline on a N aspect around 7,800'.

Photo 3: Skier supportable melt freeze crust near the summit around 8,900'.

Photo 4: Marginally skier supportable deep wet snow an a NE aspect at 7,500' at mid day.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Strong
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Southwest