New Storm Snow and Wind on Incline Lake Peak

6'' of new storm snow at Incline Lake Peak at 10am.  Snow continued throughout most of the morning with an additional 2'' plus before tapering mid day.  Moderate to strong SW winds were moving snow in near and above treeline terrain.  Observations along exposed ridgelines showed snow drifts of over 1' deep, but little to no signs of wind slab instability, cracking or propagation.  Snow remained loose and unconsolidated in these areas even with continued wind loading throughout the day.  Cornices were fragile and would fail easily with a ski kick but no resulting wind slab instability occurred.   A small storm slab was triggered on a north aspect, at 9200', on a steep convex rollover.  This storm slab failed on the new snow/old snow interface and was 6'' deep and small-see photo.

Photo#1:  Many cornice drops on wind loaded test slopes only produced loose dry snow with no signs of wind slab instability.

Photo#2:  Small storm slab on N aspect, 9200', in near treeline terrain, on steep convexity, failing on new snow/old snow interface.