Cracking wind slabs on Blue Lakes roadcuts

Location Name: 
Blue Lakes Road
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 02/07/2014 - 13:30
Location Map: 
United States
38° 40' 27.9552" N, 119° 55' 8.7672" 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: 

Riding snowmobiles along the Blue Lakes Road revealed wind loading in near treeline terrain. In lee areas along road cuts where wind slabs had formed, slope cuts produced cracking on wind slabs that failed on lower density recent new snow at the base of the slab. All slabs observed were less than 1 foot deep. Wind transport snow amounts made it clear the thicker slabs very likely exist above treeline. Slope cuts on wind protected below treeline northerly aspects produced no evidence of instability.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Strong
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: