Wind slabs on upper Chickadee Ridge.

Location Name: 
Chickadee Ridge
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sat, 01/27/2018 - 10:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 17' 31.6356" N, 119° 54' 1.5444" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Blowing snow and new wind slabs were evident in near treeline terrain on Chickadee Ridge this morning. Skier triggered cracking occurred easily when stepping on wind slab features. A test slope failure of a wind slab 10' wide and 1-1.5' deep occurred while ski kicking a wind loaded feature while ascending the N side of the W ridge up to the summit. Snowpit tests dug below the summit were also able to identify some signs of instability on less well developed surface wind slabs. No signs of instability were observed in wind protected areas below treeline.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest