Tamarack Peak Observations

Location Name: 
Tamarack Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 03/21/2016 - 12:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 19' 4.1232" N, 119° 55' 19.3332" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

2-4'' of high density new storm snow in this area.  Strong winds have scoured exposed S-SW-W aspects down to firm crusts and have transported that snow to leeward NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects.  Very little localized cracking in heavily wind loaded areas observed throughout the morning.  Wind slabs were building in size and were up to 5-8'' deep.  Repeatable ECTN's on newly forming wind slabs at  N 39.313236 W -119.912507 off of the East Ridge of Tamarack Peak.  Test results indicated that propagation was not likely on these wind slabs at that time.

Photo#1:  Small cracking in wind loaded terrain.  8800', N aspect.

Photo#2&#3:  Cornice drops on wind loaded test slopes showing no weaknesses with the newly forming wind slabs.

Photo#4:  Large cornices built out over wind loaded slopes.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
75% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Strong
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Southwest