Observations from Mt. Tallac

Location Name: 
Mt. Tallac
Region: 
Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay)
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 03/16/2017 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 54' 4.3992" N, 120° 5' 47.2812" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Very warm conditions on Mt. Tallac this morning with a marginal refreeze occurring overnight.  Soft, wet, and punchy snow existed from the trailhead up to 8000'.  Moderate SW winds were helping to keep the snow surface firm from the saddle up the N bowl to the top.  E/SE aspects had some good supportable spring snow down to around 8000' at 12 noon.  Below 7500', snow was sticky, wet, and mostly unsupportable with skis sinking in 6-8'' and boot pen knee deep.  Ideal descent time would have been around 10-10:30am.  Widespread evidence of recent cornice failures during the last week of warm temperatures with sagging cornices and large cracks opening behind cornices along ridgelines.     

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: