Observations from Flagpole

Location Name: 
Flagpole Peak
Region: 
Echo Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 01/03/2011 - 10:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 50' 46.4712" N, 120° 3' 23.94" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

A thin crust from warm and humid conditions yesterday existed on all aspects and elevations observed (N,NE,E from 6600ft to 8200ft). This crust should reduce the amount of snow available for wind transport.

However, the trace to 5cm of new snow that fell on top of this crust is showing early stage NSF and surface hoar. If E winds do develop, these will be the grains most likely transported.

Pic 1: Surface hoar widespread, and more developed at higher elevations than lower.

Pic 2: Along ridgetop, the crust was a combo melt/freeze and wind crust, with NCF just below crust causing easy fractures, though crust is still thin and not a threat.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Accumulation rate: 
None
More detailed information about the weather: 

Low level cloud cover observed locally throughout the basin, though Echo area was clear. Clouds began dissipating by mid-day.

Cloud movement showed a very light E wind first thing in the morning, but ridgetop conditions remained calm, and clouds stagnated mid-day.