Wind transport on Rose Knob Peak.

Location Name: 
Rose Knob Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 02/19/2016 - 11:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 17' 8.952" N, 119° 57' 32.742" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Significant wind transport under moderate to strong SW winds was observed in this area and on surrounding peaks today. At 11 am up to 15 cm of snow was still on the ground and available for wind transport on windward aspects. Winds were noted to transport snow far beyond ridgelines, creating a wider, shallower area of deposition rather than localized deeper slabs directly below the ridgelines.

A testpit dug at treeline on a moderately wind loaded NE aspect test slope around 8,700' (39.284275, -119.957029) produced ECTN results on surface wind slabs. No lingering storm slab instabilities were observed. Bonding of new snow to the crust at the old/new snow interface appeared very good with no signs of problematic near crust faceting.

Clear skies at 9:30 am were observed to allow for sufficient incoming solar radiation to warm the snow surface on SE aspects in the 7,400' to 7,800' elevation range. Small skier triggered roller balls not more than 7 cm in diameter were observed. Increasing cloud cover by late morning limited further snow surface warming to short periods during isolated sun breaks at mid day.

Photo 1: ECTN results in test pit. Testpit performed by Daryl Teittinen in company with Brandon Schwartz.

Photo 2: Morning clear skies allowing for significant incoming solar radiation.

Video: Wind transport at treeline (At lat/long attached to this observation).

Snowpack photos: 
Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

20160219 Wind transport on Rose Knob Pk, NV.

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Strong
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
More detailed information about the weather: 

Clear skies in the morning becoming 80-100% cloud cover in the Mount Rose area by 2 pm.