Wind loading, minor cracking above Crystal Bay

Location Name: 
above Crystal Bay, CA/NV
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sat, 03/19/2011 - 07:45
Location Map: 
United States
39° 14' 28.428" N, 120° 0' 27" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent avalanche activity
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Public
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Hard, smooth supportable surface crust yesterday through much of the steeper terrain.  Overnight = 30-35 cm new snow with lighter winds--and consequently less wind pressed slabs--than forecasted.  Early this morn saw an increase in precipt intensities and wind speeds.  Some minor cracking.  Three sluffs (from cornice break?), one small, two that ran about 150 vertical feet into trees.  Visiblity poor.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

19 Mar 2011

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Strong
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
West
Accumulation rate: 
Greater than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

At Lake Tahoe level intense snow showers and periods of brighter sky.