Observation: Summit

Location: Fresno Ridge

Date:
Observer:
Route & General Observations

Fresno Ridge to 2700′

It was raining along the road until 1600′ and snowing 1″/hour while we toured. NE winds were blowing 15-25mph loading SW slopes.

Red Flags
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Observer Comments

Snowing and active wind loading

Weather & Snow Characteristics
Please provide details to help us determine the weather and snowpack during the time this observation took place.
Weather

Precip; Raining below 1600', Snowing 1"/hour (S2)
Winds: NE 15-25mph
Temps: 36F at Road
Sky: Obscured with patches of fog below 1600'

Snow surface

1300' - 4" of Wet Snow
1700' - Thin layer of wet snow on surface with dryer snow below
2000' - 2700' - 10-12" new snow

Snowpack

*Multiple layer of m/f crust were observed below 2500' throughout the snowpack

Pit at 2500' - See photo diagram for details - snow height varied from 60cm to 120cm - dug in a large meadow surrounded by trees, We did not find buried surface hoar, but did find a non-reactive layer of facets between two crusts. Found fair stability in top 12" and good stability below this new snow.

Pit at 2650' - See photo diagram for details - snow height varied from 100cm - 200cm in this area. Found a layer of non-reactive, but intact buried surface hoar. Found fair stability in top 10-17" of new snow which did not propagate in Extended Column test.

Photos & Video
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