Rapid Warming and Loose Wet Activity on Tallac

Location Name: 
Mt. Tallac
Region: 
Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay)
Date and time of observation: 
Sat, 03/25/2017 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 54' 22.6728" N, 120° 5' 56.0868" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent avalanche activity
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Rapid warming
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Full sun conditions this morning on Mt. Tallac with rapid warming occurring by mid morning.  Natural and skier triggered loose wet activity was observed at 9am on E aspects.  By 10:30am, some cloud cover did enter the area with light winds which helped to limit some of the warming.  Overall, a much warmer day with more solar radiation than forecasted.  4-6'' of new storm snow at this location with some signs of previous wind loading.  Wind slabs that were encountered did not show any cracking or signs of cohesion.   Winter snow existed on N-NE aspects above 8000' for most of the day.  By 11am, E aspects were already sun effected.  Below 7500' after 11am, N/NE aspects were also warming up with roller balls and wet snow.  Very light rain was encountered on the drive home at lake level.  

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