Minor Windslabs on Silver Peak

Location Name: 
Silver Peak
Region: 
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sun, 01/03/2016 - 10:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 13' 23.9052" N, 120° 14' 36.2724" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

On account of the visible loading from the South winds yesterday, both the Northeast and North ridges of Silver Peak had very minor, non-reactive wind slabs today.  The windslabs varied from 2 inches to 6 inches and were isolated to leeward aspects on the ridgelines and 10-15 feet below.   Stopping on cornices on the true North ridge only dropped very small sections of windslab which only rolled down the slope below (which remained soft and unconsolidated).  No shooting cracks or any other signs of instability with these small windslabs.  The increase in cloud cover and rising temps appear to have caused these small windslabs to bond quickly to the underlying snow.

Informal hand pits, pole probing, cornice stomps and other informal observations did not encounter any signs of instability throughout the day.  

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Accumulation rate: 
None
More detailed information about the weather: 

There was a noticeable increase in temperature today versus yesterday and no wind.  The thick clouds with sunlight also created a greenhouse effect which lead to temperatures above the forecasted range.  While the snow below treeline on North aspects remains soft and unconsolidated, the temperatures caused the snow to begin to transition to wetter and thicker grains.  There was increased settlement in the snowpack overnight and the trees today were shedding the denser, wet snow from the rising temps