Snowpit on Andesite Ridge

Location Name: 
Andesite Ridge
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sun, 12/02/2012 - 13:15
Location Map: 
United States
39° 21' 4.5" N, 120° 21' 59.22" 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: 

At 8,200', rain from last night and early this morning seemed to have affected only the top 1.5 feet of the snowpack. New snow from late morning was well bonded to the rain crust at its base. No evidence of recent avalanche activity or other signs of instability in this specific area. Ski cuts on 40-45 degree test slopes produced no snowpack failure. Surface rain crust present on top of new snow up to at least 8,200' due to short lived temperature spike and rising snow levels around 12:45pm.

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: 
Cooling
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

High intensity snowfall had become very light in this area by 11am.