Observations from Silver Peak

Location Name: 
Silver Peak
Region: 
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 02/22/2010 - 10:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 13' 26.0724" N, 120° 14' 28.932" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Around 4 to 7cm (2 to 3 inches) of recent new snow in this area. East winds depositing snow onto S-W-N aspects in the area. Wide spread 1 cm surface hoar observed in wind sheltered areas just below ridgeline showing no signs of becoming destroyed today.

Very small areas of instability limited to wind loaded areas high on leeward side of ridges. Shooting cracks up to 8m in length but slabs extending less than 1 m down the leeward side of the ridge.

Photos 1 and 2: Surface hoar 1 cm

Photos 3 and 4: Large areas of surface hoar. Photos are of the same slope. Surface hoar exists just below ridgetop just beyond area where wind effect is visable on the snow surface.

Photo 5: Small shallow slab failure on test slope. Failure occurred at old/new snow interface. Bed surface is pencil hard, slab was 4F hard.

Snowpack photos: 
Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

201000222 Silver Pk 013

Any other comments about the observation or links to outside pages that have more info on the observation: 

 

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Wind Direction: 
Southeast
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: 

Wind transport of snow visable on surrounding peaks.