NE winds, scoured surfaces, and corn snow on Red Lake Peak

Location Name: 
Red Lake Peak
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Wed, 02/13/2013 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 42' 47.43" N, 119° 59' 16.1736" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Obvious avalanche path
Terrain Trap
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Strong NE winds over the last several days have scoured almost all of the recent snow from the exposed near and above treeline N-NE-E aspects leaving behind firm crusts and wind packed surfaces. Some weaker snow does exist underneath the surface crusts on these northerly aspects. Tests on this weaker facetted snow indicates that it continues to lose strength. Some small wind slabs have formed on the NW-W-SW aspects; however, stability tests on these wind slabs in several locations today showed that they have bonded well to the snow below them.

The continued NE winds today prevented much softening on the exposed SE-S-SW aspects despite the warm temperatures and plentiful sunshine. On SE-S aspects that are sheltered from the NE winds 2-3 inches of soft wet corn snow formed by noon today. On these aspects thick, firm and strong melt freeze snow exists below the surface.

Photo 1: A very small pocket of wind loaded snow on a N aspect at about 9600 ft.

Photo 2: Snow surface textures indicating wind scouring by NE winds on a NE aspect at about 9800 ft.

Photo 3: Firm wind scoured crusts on an E aspect at about 9000 ft.

Photo 4: 2 inches of soft corn snow on a SSE aspect at about 8900 ft.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Northeast
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: