Decreasing E winds on Red Lake Peak

Location Name: 
Red Lake Peak
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 01/14/2013 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 43' 3.1008" N, 119° 58' 36.7788" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

E winds continued to transport snow into mid day, but calmed down around noon. Most wind transported snow appeared to be re-introduced into atmosphere, with no current wind loading of slopes observed today. Previous wind slabs remained unstable, with a weak layer observed between the wind slabs and an old crust. Highly variable wind slab thickness, with the thickest wind slab observed today at 35cm on a cross loaded N aspect. Wind slabs observed on cross loaded N, NW, W aspects.

Pic 1: E winds stripping traditional start zone on ridge between Red Lake Peak and Stevens Peak. Most above treeline ridges in the area had similar observable E winds throughout the morning. Winds calmed around noon.

Pic 2: Sent from David Reichel, taken near Caples Lake. Small natural avalanche on wind loaded W aspect.

Video: 3x ECTP SP down 33cm on weak layer between old crust and recent wind slab. N aspect, cross loaded slope near treeline. Likely NCF both above and below this crust. Angles more distinct below the crust, though this layer was reactive to hand shears but not ECTs.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
East
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: