Rapid warming on Tamarack Peak

Location Name: 
Tamarack Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 03/23/2017 - 11:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 19' 26.922" N, 119° 54' 29.5524" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Rapid warming conditions were occurring on Tamarack Peak with natural roller ball activity present by 11 am on solar aspects. By 11:30 am, ski cuts on steep SE aspect test slopes produced small loose wet avalanches, bordering on wet slab avalanches failing within the new snow, well above the MF crust at the base of the storm snow.

On N aspects below treeline, loose dry instability was observed on slopes of around 40 degrees in slope angle. No signs of slab instability were observed on wind protected N aspects below treeline, but some strong over weak snow structure existed within the recent storm snow with MF crust as the potential bed surface.

Along the ridgetop several inches of recent storm snow were present and available for wind transport when SW winds increase tonight ahead of the storm expected for tomorrow. There is a possibility that this snow will undergo melt-freeze today and become capped by a crust to prevent future transport.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest