Lower snow level and greater new snow amounts than forecast.

Location Name: 
Mt. Judah
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 03/16/2012 - 11:10
Location Map: 
United States
39° 18' 20.16" N, 120° 18' 59.508" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Snow level in the Donner Pass area was much lower than forecast this morning holding around 6,000'. Snowfall rates of 2 inches per hour above 7,000' lead to new snow accumulations of nearly 15 inches this morning at 8,000', well exceeding the forecast of 3 to 8 inches.

Evidence of snowpack instability beyond the new snow was not apparent in either wind protected or wind loaded areas at and below treeline. Many cornice kicks and ski cuts on 35 to 45 degree test slopes produced only sluffing within the upper new snow layer. A new rain crust has formed in the upper portion of the snowpack from the peak of rising snow level yesterday/last night. The new snow from today is well bonded to this newly formed crust. The snow below this crust remains as a wet snow layer 8 inches thick. High density drier snow exists below the rain affected layer.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
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: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Greater than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: