Significant wind loading and moderate windslab cracking

Location Name: 
W end Boreal Ridge above Central Sierra Snow Lab
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 02/18/2016 - 08:45
Location Map: 
United States
39° 19' 29.9604" N, 120° 21' 40.5936" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Educator at Donner Summit Avalanche Seminars
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Significant wind transport overnight and this morning.  Rainfall yesterday until 2230, then temps quickly dropping with overnight snowfall exceeding S5.  HN24 at 0800 = 48.0 cm, the highest snowfall intensity so far this winter. New snow denisty = 126 with only modestly higher values at bottom of new snow profile.  Wind slabs in exposed areas softer than anticipated with moderate cracking.  Ski pen ranged from 0 cm (where scoured) to 65 cm in the lee.  Yesterday's snow surface still wet and soft (4F+), not frozen; new snow seems to be bonding fairly well.  Videos show wind transport and cracking.

Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

wind transport 20160218

crack 20160218

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: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Greater than 1 in. per hour