Wind loading on Silver Peak

Location Name: 
Silver Peak
Region: 
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sat, 12/26/2015 - 13:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 13' 24.078" N, 120° 14' 35.754" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

E winds were being deflected by terrain, acting locally like S winds, creating continued wind loading on N aspects. Historically active avalanche paths along the N side of the E ridge of Silver Peak were under active wind loading conditions all day (photos 1,2,&3). Newly formed wind slabs were difficult to trigger, but continued to gain depth as the day progressed. Skier weighting of the edges of these newly formed wind slab produced minor cracking up to 30 cm long. Pole probing of wind pillows along the E ridge indicated slab thickness of 1 meter plus. Significant amounts of recent storm snow on the ground remained available for transport upon departure from the area around 1:30 pm. A test pit dug in a more wind sheltered area along the E ridge on a N aspect at 8,000' revealed no signs of near crust faceting around the 12/24 rain crust.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
East