East Winds on Andesite Peak

Location Name: 
Andesite Peak
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 12/02/2016 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 21' 0.936" N, 120° 21' 48.348" 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: 

Strong East winds throughout the day with low wind chill temperatures.  Blowing snow was observed everywhere from peaks and ridges to below treeline terrain in this area.  With all the blowing snow, there was very little wind slab development noted.  Some minor wind slabs were forming right near ridge tops on SE-S-SW aspects-these did not extend downslope very far and were shallow in size.  Snow available for wind transport is becoming more limited in many areas.  Snow surface conditions are a mix of firm wind scoured snow, wind blown snow, breakable wind crusts, and some areas of unconsolidated snow in the most protected areas.

Photo#1:  Raised tracks and scoured snow surfaces at most locations on N-NE-E aspects.

Photo#2:  Light to moderate amounts of blowing snow throughout the day loading SE-S-SW-W aspects.
 

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Strong
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
East
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: