East wind trandsport and a mostly stable snowpack on Mt. Tallac

Location Name: 
Mount Tallac
Region: 
Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay)
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 01/03/2011 - 14:46
Location Map: 
United States
38° 54' 23.2092" N, 120° 6' 1.602" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Hand pits, ski cuts, and general observations showed a mostly stable snowpack at all elevations on Mt. Tallac. Near the ridgeline the east winds did start moving some snow from the N-NE-E aspects onto the S-SW-W aspects. These winds also scoured the N-NE-E aspects and left a firm wind affected snow surface on those aspects near ridgelines. These winds also left behind some very shallow and small firm wind slabs in small isolated areas on the northerly aspects. They did not transport enough snow to form dangerous wind slabs on the southerly aspects. Ski cuts on 38-39 degree, N-NE facing sheltered slope at about 8200 ft. produced some minor shallow sluffing that did not pose much threat to people.

Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

East wind transporting snow on Mt. Tallac 20110103Tallac 004.MOV

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
East
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: