Minimal evidence of slab instability on Carpenter Ridge

Location Name: 
Carpenter Ridge
Region: 
Independence Lake Area
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 02/13/2012 - 11:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 24' 44.6076" N, 120° 18' 53.892" 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: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Slab formation has very limited and highly localized to very small slabs along the ridgetop in areas with the most wind load. New snow amounts in this area were around 5 inches with wind loaded pockets to 18 inches in near treeline areas. Most areas failed as very small loose snow avalanches with only isolated skier triggered cracking and one small slab failure on a test slope at 8,600' on a NE aspect near treeline. The start zones of the main avalanche paths off Carpenter Peak showed no evidence of slab formation. Ski cuts in the start zone produced no results.

Photo 1: The maximum extent of shooting cracks observed in this area today.

Photo 2: The only slab failure observed in this area today. Slab was all storm snow with 1F hard snow at the surface over F hard snow at the bottom. F hard storm snow was the failure layer.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
75% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

Suuny skies in the morning gave way to 100% cloud cover with light snow showers during the afternoon hours. No significant additional accumulation was noted today in this area between 10:15 am and 2 pm.