Observations from Kings Realm

Location Name: 
Kings Realm
Region: 
Bear Valley Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sun, 02/04/2018 - 11:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 28' 39.936" N, 120° 4' 13.44" W
See map: Google Maps
US



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

Little to no snow existed on sun-exposed SE-S-SW aspects below 8000 ft. in this area today. The patches of snow that did exist on those aspects measured between 15 and 25 cm (6 to 10 in) deep and the top 2 to 5 cm (1 to 2 in) softened quickly in the daytime sun. Not enough continuous snow existed on these slopes to find a test slope for targeting loose wet instabilities.

On the northerly aspects, more snow existed but snow coverage still remained thin in areas below 8000 ft. The snow surface was mostly a mix of breakable crusts and some wet sticky snow, but some open N aspects near 8000 ft. did still hold patches of soft unconsolidated dry snow. Snowpit data, tests, and general observations did not reveal any signs of instability. 

Photo 1: Looking at S facing slopes across Mokelumne Canyon. N facing slopes in Kings Realm in the foreground.

Photo 2: 2 to 5 cm (1 to 2 in) of corn on a S aspect at 8000 ft. by 10:30 am

Photo 3: S aspect on the lookers right and N aspect on the left. Photo is from standing at 8000 ft. on the ridge.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm
Air temperature trend: 
Warming