Wind Transport on Ralston Peak

Location Name: 
Ralston Peak
Region: 
Echo Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Wed, 11/30/2011 - 13:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 49' 58.9368" N, 120° 6' 7.6572" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Obvious avalanche path
Terrain Trap
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Gale force winds along the Sierra Crest transported snow from the N-NE aspects towards the SW aspects today on Ralston Peak. The strong winds even started to rip apart the existing wind and rain crusts above treeline and transported large (3ft square) pieces of the crusts for large distances. These winds began scouring the starting zones on Ralston Peak today.

The N-NE aspects on Ralston Peak still hold some snow and in many areas the existing snow seems to cover most of the anchors on the upper portions of the slopes.

Video 1: This video shows the gale force winds transporting snow and pieces of crusts from the NE side of Ralston Peak to the SW side of the peak. It also shows what the existing snow coverage looks like on the northerly side of the peak.

Video 2: This video just shows the gale force winds transporting snow and pieces of crusts from the NE side of Ralston Peak to the SW side of the peak.

Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

Wind transport of snow and crusts on 11-30-11 on Ralston Peak Part 1

Wind transport of snow and crusts on 11-30-11 on Ralston Peak Part 2

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Gale Force
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Cooling
Wind Direction: 
Northeast
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: