Wind Loading near Grouse Rocks

Location Name: 
Grouse Rocks
Region: 
Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 04/04/2014 - 15:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 8' 5.7588" N, 120° 14' 35.6712" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Ski cuts on wind loaded test slopes near the ridgeline produced small 3-4 inch deep shooting cracks in the most wind loaded areas this afternoon. These small newly formed pockets of wind loading did not extend more than a few feet away from the ridgelines. Ski cuts on these and other wind loaded test slopes on N-NE-E aspects at various elevations did not produce any deeper signs of instability. Snowpit tests also showed good bonding within the older wind slabs and within the snow above the crusts buried on Mar 26. Snow pit observations near the ridgeline also indicated that the near crust facets buried on Mar. 26 continue to gain strength. Periods of blowing snow occurred during the afternoon (see video).

Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

ECTN @ Grouse Rocks

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

Convective snow showers lead to periods of snowfall at about 1 in. per hour along the Sierra Crest in this area today. The snowfall came in short intense bursts and totaled about 1.5 inches by 4 pm. Southwest winds strong enough to blow snow and form small cornices accompanied these convective squalls.