Donner Summit Observations

Location Name: 
Donner Pass
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 03/18/2011 - 11:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 18' 28.872" N, 120° 19' 10.0668" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

The next series of storms was just beginning to hit the Donner Summit area by mid morning.  In wind loaded locations there was 3-4'' of new snow.  The existing snowpack is in good condition to accept a new load today and the bond between the old snow surface and new snow was good-no failures with hand pits or CT's.  The density change in the upper snowpack is still present but has consolidated more with continued settlement and did not show failures at this location.  Sluffing occuring in steeper N-E aspects, wind exposed W-SE aspects were scoured to firmer snow conditions.

Photo:  Loose snow sluffing from ski cuts and cornice drops. 

Snowpack photos: 
Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

donnersummit2011 3 18 003

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

Storm intensity increasing into the midday, early afternoon.  SW winds in the moderate range increasing towards strong speeds.