New snow, then light rain on Andesite Peak.

We arrived at Donner Summit at 9:20 am to snowfall rates of 1 inch/hr with around 4 inches of new snow. By 9:30 am precipitation intensity had fallen off. A switch to very light rain occurred soon thereafter. We experienced very light rain all the way up to the summit of Andesite Peak at 8,230'.

Dense, wet new snow was deposited on top of drier recent storm snow from 12/18. We saw minor cracking on the old/new snow interface while breaking trail. Upon reaching wind loaded terrain near and above treeline we found 1F hard wind slab on top of 4F hard old, but unconsolidated recent storm snow. Kicking and ski cutting numerous wind loaded test slopes produced no cracking or other slab failure results. After about 2 hours of very light rain, we were able to create minor skier triggered roller balls on steeper slopes. We exited the area through avalanche terrain with no additional evidence of instability in this area. Of note, significant wind slab instability was reported above the rain/snow line during this same time period in the Luther Pass area (see other observation).