New Snow and Wind on Jakes Peak

Location Name: 
Jakes Peak
Region: 
West Shore Area
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 03/14/2016 - 11:30
Location Map: 
United States
38° 58' 2.2044" N, 120° 7' 5.3004" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

New snow with gale force winds on the West Shore today.  A firm breakable rain crust was observed up to around 7000', with heavier wind effected snow in most areas above 7000'.  Surface snow was supportable wind pressed in most exposed areas with deeper/unsupportable wind effected snow in more protected treed areas at lower elevations.  Limited cracking on wind loaded test slopes, although ECTP's were showing that propagation was possible on a wind slab that was just over 1' deep.  Surface wind slab was 1f hard over fist hard older storm snow.  By mid day, windward areas on the summit were scoured down to a firm crust with limited snow available for future transport.  Good views into Desolation Wilderness with no signs of avalanche activity from the end of last nights storm through today.

Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

20160314 2mECTP-19 on Jake's Peak, CA

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Gale Force
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
More detailed information about the weather: 

Cloud cover clearing out by 11am with patchy areas of mid level clouds remaining throughout the day.  Gale force winds consistent above 8000'.