NE Winds on Tamarack Peak

NE winds increased throughout the day with cold temperatures.  These winds were scouring N-NE-E aspects and moving snow at the higher elevation ridges and peaks.   Where this blowing snow was moving to SE-S-SW aspects no cracking was observed in theses areas and the blowing snow did not extend very far downslope from ridges. The winds did create wind effect on the snow surface to different degrees but was noticeable in open areas above 9200'.  In protected treed areas at lower elevations the snow was unconsolidated.

The recent storm snow is settling and gaining strength.  Snowpack tests showed no weakness at the old snow/new snow interface and very little weakness within the storm snow.

12:30pm in the Hourglass drainage, 9200', NE 52 degree aspect, 24 degree slope angle.  HS=170cm.  New snow at this location was around 18'' which was on top of a 2'' 1F rain crust with wet snow below.  2x ECTN's at this location and no evidence of any weakness around the 12/15 rain crust.

1:30pm, SE of Tamarack Peak at 9850', N 9 degree aspect, HS=150cm, 24 degree slope angle.  2x ECTN's, CT's showed resistant planar results in storm snow but no results on or near the 12/15 rain crust.  Rain crust at this location was a K hard 1'' rain crust that was dry with no wet snow around.