Observations from Jake's Peak

Location Name: 
Jake's Peak
Region: 
West Shore Area
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 12/06/2010 - 11:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 58' 2.4636" N, 120° 7' 3.6768" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Pic 1: Graupel, rimed PPs, and even some surface hoar getting blown around and deposited in leeward depressions.

Pic 2: Cutting unsupported snow produced consistent slab fractures, and less consistent results were seen on supported snow. I'm not checking the "Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing" box because no propagation was seen.

Video: RB2 whole block down 20cm on 3cm thick layer of Fist hard heavily rimed PPs below 4F+ wind slab. This weak layer rests on top of another 4F wind slab (15cm thick) on another Fist hard PPs. Informal tests got this deeper layer to fail, but not as consistently or cleanly as the layer at 20cm down.

Wind slab and cold temps were consistent from 9100ft down to 7800ft, where temps were warmer and snow surface less wind effected and moist, and previous rain event evident. This on N/NE/E terrain mostly in the trees.

 

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
None
More detailed information about the weather: 

Consistent Moderate SW winds with Strong gusts.

Sky cover was clear, however obscurred skies were observed over N Shore and Mt Rose areas.

Cold temps above 7800ft.