Natural wind slab avalanche on Hidden Peak

Location Name: 
Hidden Peak
Region: 
West Shore Area
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Thu, 03/01/2012 - 10:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 58' 42.0996" N, 120° 7' 39.522" 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
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Forecaster
Avalanche Observations
Avalanche Type: 
dry,slab,
Slope: 
38degrees
Trigger type: 
Natural
Crown Height: 
2 ft
Aspect: 
Northeast
Weak Layer: 
Storm Snow
Avalanche Width: 
60ft.
Terrain: 
Above Treeline
Elevation: 
9 000ft.
Bed Surface: 
Storm Snow
Avalanche Length: 
150ft.
Number of similar avalanches: 
1
More detailed information about the avalanche: 

This slide likely occurred early this morning. The failure layer was a weakness within the storm snow and the crown ranged in depth from 1-2 ft. The slab layer was a wind slab form by the strong southwest winds yesterday and today. Continued snow and wind loading had already started to refill this start zone. By noon only 6-8 inhces of the crown remained exposed.

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Gale Force
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Cooling
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: