Strong NE Winds and Small Windslabs on Castle Peak

Location Name: 
North Side Castle Peak
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sun, 01/13/2013 - 15:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 21' 45.216" N, 120° 20' 30.4044" 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: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

NE winds increased into the strong range in the early afternoon.  After 3pm there was cracking and small shooting cracks on SE-S aspects from the fresh transported snow.  Newly formed wind slabs were up to 1' deep and failing easily with the weight of a skier, these were limited to just off the ridgeline in very small terrain features at this location.  NE-N-NW exposed aspects were scoured down to old firm snow crusts, in protected areas there was nice unconsolidated snow.  Stability on these shaded aspects was good with minor sluffing in steeper terrain.  Snow on solar aspects stayed light and dry throughout the afternoon with 4-6'' of cold snow on top of a firm supportable crust.

Photo#1:  Wind scouring and wind transport of snow on the North side of Castle Peak from strong NE winds, 3pm.

Photo#2:  Wind scouring and wind transport of snow on Basin Peak.

Photo#3:  Fresh and reactive wind slabs up to 1' deep from the strong NE winds. 8600', SE aspect on small terrain just off the ridgeline, 3:15pm.

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

CastlePeak2013 1 13 003

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Strong
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Northeast
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: