Natural Wind Slab Avalanches on Wildflower Ridge

Location Name: 
Wildflower Ridge
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Sun, 04/01/2012 - 07:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 18' 28.6056" N, 120° 19' 9.912" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent avalanche activity
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Forecaster
Avalanche Observations
Avalanche Type: 
dry,slab,
Slope: 
39degrees
Trigger type: 
Natural
Crown Height: 
2 ft
Aspect: 
Northeast
Weak Layer: 
Storm Snow
Avalanche Width: 
100ft.
Terrain: 
Near Treeline
Elevation: 
7 760ft.
Bed Surface: 
Storm Snow
Avalanche Length: 
75ft.
Number of similar avalanches: 
1
More detailed information about the avalanche: 

This avalanche likely slid this morning as evidenced by the dusting (less than .5 inches) of new snow on the debris and the bed surface. The weak layer for this slide was a storm snow weakness consisting of a density change near the base of the storm snow. Some skier triggered cracking occurred on nearby similar slopes (photo 2). See this observation for a snowpit from today.

Avalanche Photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
North
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: 

Weather observations from 11:30am on April 1. Mostly sunny day with temperatures in the 40s at this elevation.