Wind Transport on Tamarack Peak

Location Name: 
Tamarack Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 01/28/2016 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 19' 14.952" N, 119° 55' 23.4264" 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: 

Strong winds were transporting small amounts of snow and forming small wind slabs on the leeward slopes along the ridge lines in the Tamarack Peak area as of midday today. The wind slabs remained small and did not extend very far down slope. A ski cut on one small test slope did cause a small (6 ft. wide, 2-4 in. deep) fracture. While these small wind slabs did not pose much of a threat to backcountry travelers today, they will continue to grow in size and extent as the storm impacts the region over the next few days. Snowpit data in non-wind loaded areas did not reveal any lingering signs of instability in the snowpack.

Photo 1: The small wind slab triggered by a ski cut on an east facing slope at 9800 ft. 

Photo 2: Wind transport over a ridge line on Tamarack Peak

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
50% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above 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: 

Light snow started around 1:30 pm.