Wind effect on Silver Peak.

Location Name: 
Silver Peak
Region: 
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sat, 02/20/2016 - 11:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 13' 22.728" N, 120° 14' 39.732" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent avalanche activity
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Wind affected snow on all aspects both above and below treeline on Silver Peak following gale force SW to W winds over the past two days. Winds appeared to have wrapped around the N side of the peak, creating various degrees of sastrugi formation in nearly all areas. A testpit was dug at the noted lat/long (N aspect, 8,050') and produced ECTN results within the recent storm snow. A two day old avalanche was noted on the N ridge of Silver Peak. No signs of ongoing instability were observed while on tour in this area today.

Photo 1: Evidence of wind effect at treeline on the E ridge.

Photo 2: Wind created snow surface texture well below treeline on a N aspect below the E ridge.

Photo 3: Settlement crack on N aspect below treeline.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
More detailed information about the weather: 

Clear skies in the morning giving way to increasing high level cloud cover.