Strong Winds and Blowing Snow Above Red Lake

Location Name: 
Above Red Lake
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 12/11/2014 - 13:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 41' 30.516" N, 119° 58' 11.136" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Strong winds were transporting snow in most places in this area today. Small drifts and areas of wind deposited snow existed in typically sheltered locations. Small wind slabs up to 5 inches thick had formed near the ridgelines in the areas I traveled. This wind loading had occurred despite only having .5 to 1 inches of new snow accumulation in this area as of 2 pm. Snowpits and hand pits did not reveal any signs of persistent weak layers below 8800 ft. in this area.

Video: Wind transport of snow along a ridge at 8500 ft.

Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

Strong winds and snow transport near Carson Pass

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

Winds were SSW. Snow level hovered around 7500 ft. in this area until at least 2 pm.