Wind Scouring on East Ridge of Tamarack Peak

Location Name: 
Tamarack Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 01/11/2013 - 12:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 18' 49.9248" N, 119° 54' 56.7324" 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: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

6'' of new light snow existed in the Tamarack Peak area.  This snow sits on unconsolidated snow on N-NE aspects and on firm sun crusts on the solar aspects SW-S-SE.  Upper exposed terrain, NW-NE, has been scoured by the moderate swirling NW winds and in some cases scoured down to the old snow surface.  Shooting cracks and cracking around skis were common on E-S-SW aspects from the wind transport occuring, with the new wind slabs up to 1' deep on small terrain features.  CT's were showing that there is a poor bond with the new snow/old snow interface but not much slab development on N-E aspects.  In areas that were not wind scoured sluffing was common in steeper terrain.  

Photo #1 and #2:  Shooting cracks and cracking around skis on E-SW aspects on small terrrain features.  9200-9800'.

Video #1:  Moderate NW winds on the East Ridge of Tamarack Peak.  9400'

Video #2:  ECTN on new snow/old snow interface.  Consistent easy CT results on the same interface.  9500', North aspect, 30 degree slope.      

Snowpack photos: 
Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

mtrose2013 1 11 004

mtrose2013 1 11 005

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
75% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Northwest
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: 

Cold wind chill throughout the morning and mid day hours.  NW winds slightly decreased in the early afternoon with snow starting to move in to the area in the mid afternoon.