Warming on Rubicon Peak

Location Name: 
Rubicon Peak
Region: 
West Shore Area
Date and time of observation: 
Wed, 03/08/2017 - 11:30
Location Map: 
United States
38° 59' 42.4716" N, 120° 7' 54.9084" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Significant warming was observed on N and NE aspects on Rubicon Peak this morning. Melt water was observed dripping from snow melt on trees on N aspects up to 8,500' between 9:30 am and 10:30 am. At 11:30 am, surface snow below 8,000' on N aspects was entering melt phase with skier triggered roller balls occurring (noted lat/long). Below 8,000' recent storm snow under going melt became increasingly heavy and wet. On E aspects at 7,600' small runnels were noted on the snow surface indicating rapid snow surface melt.

A test pit dug at 9,080' on a N aspect, 34 degree slope (38.98965, -120.13365) with previous wind loading yielded ECTN results on wind slabs within the top 60 cm (2 feet) of the snowpack. No skier triggered cracking was seen in this area.
 

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
West