Shallow wind slabs on Incline Peak

Location Name: 
Saddle E of Incline Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 02/17/2014 - 08:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 17' 49.596" N, 119° 56' 47.436" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Stiff S winds blowing this morning on the ridge crests (9400') are transporting a moderate amount of snow.  Wind slabs from 20 to 30 cm thick on the lee with ski penetration ranging from 2 to 15 cm.  My ski tracks are filled in after about 30 minutes.  Very minor cracking; ski cuts resulted in only small (.5 ski length) blocks releasing, none of the fractures propagating.  Two shear planes IDed in the new/wind blown snow with hand pits and tilt test: moderate at the new snow/rain crust interface and an easy shear plane about 5 cm below surface.  Small knife-edged cornices forming on older larger cornice structures.  No other signs of instability this morning (between 0645 and 1030).  Air temperature at 0915 a modest -1º C.  Ski penetration on the N facing ski fields 5-10 cm, soft and unconsolidated.  Sunny aspects are a showcase of surface crusts of several flavors including supportable, breakable, and loud.        —R.Osterhuber 

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
South