New small wind slabs on Mt. Tallac.

Location Name: 
Mt. Tallac
Region: 
Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay)
Date and time of observation: 
Sun, 02/19/2017 - 11:30
Location Map: 
United States
38° 54' 49.194" N, 120° 6' 0.2556" 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: 

Strong SW winds, light snowfall, and blowing were creating new wind slabs in wind loaded areas both above and below treeline on Mt. Tallac. During the mid day hours, new wind slabs ranged from 2 to 6 inches thick and were fairly easily skier triggered on N-NE-E aspects. Skier triggered cracking was common in wind loaded areas above 7,600'.

Warming conditions were occurring under thick cloud cover with increasingly wet surface snow noted on the E aspects traveled in the 7,400' to 6,600' elevation range during the early afternoon hours. Some minor skier triggered roller balls were observed. Wet snow instability in the area today was less widespread than the evidence of recent loose wet instability from yesterday.
 

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Strong
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: