Wind slab fracturing

Location Name: 
Mt. Houghton
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 12/14/2012 - 12:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 20' 9.2076" N, 119° 55' 44.9796" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent avalanche activity
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Obvious avalanche path
Terrain Trap
Observation made by: Public
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Skied the big gully on the pin point, see map above. Obvious wind slab small release from recent days with some new snow on top seen from below, 10 feet wide by 30 feet long.  It was on a wind loaded ridge on the edge of the gully. Snow is still blowing into areas like this with light snow showers developing during the day.  One of us skied down onto it and gave a weighted turn on the middle of it and fractured a medium size wind slab. It broke slowly and never gained any speed.  Crown was about a foot plus, thirty feet wide and creeped down hill for about 60 feet before stopping. Skier arrested on slope and watched. Skied the snow on the edge and had good turns with no more movement.  Other two party members tried the opposite side of the gully with no wind lip formation and straight down the middle of the gully with no movement.  Great turns about boot top deep.  The soft slab was storm snow from Wednesday plus showers and wind drift.  South aspects have more of a firm crust from melt freeze and are slick skinning but with no snow balls etc.

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Air temperature: 
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

Cold temps, moderate wind on ridge.  Clouds closed in around noon bringing showers and blocking the sun from warming south aspects.