Red Cone Bowl - Wind effects and whoomphing

 
 
 
 
 
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SNOWPACK OBSERVATION
Red Cone Bowl
Submission Info
Forecaster
Wednesday, January 10, 2018 - 2:30pm
Red Flags: 
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
37° 35' 46.7916" N, 119° 1' 22.116" W
See map: Google Maps
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

-Toured up to Redcone Bowl in the afternoon.

-2pm: 9,900', E facing 10 deg slope: 0deg C, variable light gusts (sounds of stronger winds up higher), Partly cloudy, 14" total snow depth in this sheltered spot, 7" of new snow.

-Isolated locations on wind exposed N facing slopes had thin sensitive wind crusts 1-3" deep.  See attached video of hand pit failing upon isolation at 10,200' near ridgetop.

-On west face ~10,200', just below ridge:  New snow depth decreased to 20cm in same spot that previous day had 30cm due to west wind stripping,

-E slope, 10,100', ~25deg slope: significant whoomph heard/felt as 1 skier joined 2nd skier on slope.  

East aspect (85deg), 27 deg slope, 10,100': 115cm total snow depth, 48cm new snow ontop of ~15cm decomping melt-freeze crust (P to 1F) fading into ~12cm loose facet layer (4F), ontop of P+ dense layer to ground.   A couple non-propagating fractures in new snow.   

-Old tracks still clearly visible on N. Facing slope of redcone bowl from previous day, despite some cross-wind effect on this slope.

 

Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Air temperature: 
Wind Speed: 
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Wind Direction: 
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: 

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