Facets and wind transport on Silver Peak

Location Name: 
Silver Peak
Region: 
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sat, 12/15/2012 - 12:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 13' 23.7108" N, 120° 14' 37.3848" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Above 7000 ft. 6-8 inches of snow sits on top of the rain crust. This snow remains light and unconsolidated with very few slab properties in non wind affected areas. In the wind affected areas some wind slabs exist. By mid day the winds started to transport snow along the near and above treeline ridges on Silver Peak. More wind transport was occurring along some of the higher peaks on the Sierra Crest. The wind slabs on the wind loaded near and above treeline N-NE aspects on Silver Peak were less deep and softer than wind slabs found in other places around the forecast area.

The Dec. 2nd crust/facet combination does exist in this area. It was most well developed on the N-NE aspects above 7000 ft. Tests on this layer now indicate that once it breaks, fractures can travel along the facet layer (see snowpit and video). The rain crust above this weak facet layer remains strong and supportable in this area.

 

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

2012 12 15 Silver 007

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: