"Dust on Crust" on Andesite Ridge

Location Name: 
Andesite Ridge
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Tue, 01/27/2015 - 12:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 21' 3.978" N, 120° 21' 59.7492" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

In sheltered areas between 7000 and 7500 ft. 1-2 inches of new snow existed on top of frozen crusts on all aspects. Previous tracks and surface textures remained visible. In some areas where the snowpack had mostly melted away the new snow barely covered hidden obstacles (see photo). In these sheltered lower elevation areas, the new snow seemed to bond well to the old crusts and no signs of instability were found. In near and above treeline terrain above 7800 ft near the top of Andesite Ridge ski cuts on steep slopes triggered very small inconsequential sluffs that involved the 1-2 inches of new snow and did not run very far down slope. Near the summit of Andesite some light wind loading was also noted.

Snowpack photos: 
Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

Snowand Light Winds on Andesite Ridge

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

Around 1 inch of new snow at 7300 ft. and 1-2 inches at 8100 ft. Light west and southwest winds with very minimal snow transport.