East Winds on Donner Summit

Location Name: 
Anderson Ridge
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Tue, 01/01/2013 - 11:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 17' 0.8772" N, 120° 19' 3.378" 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: 

Strong East winds moving lots of snow at the higher elevations, much snow being lost due to sublimation into the atmosphere.  S-SE gullies off the Sierra Crest had up to 1.5' of thick wind deposited snow, no signs of instabilities in these gullies-no cracking, shooting cracks, etc.  Most exposed N-E aspects have a firm windboard snow surface on top, then thick wind affected snow in the middle and still some nice unconsolidated snow in the most protected areas.

Exposed ridgelines can be challenging travel with large wind ribbons, sastrugi, rock/dirt and many areas scoured down to old firm rain crusts. 

At separate locations just off the Sierra Crest, the 12/2 rain crust could not be found with a 260cm probe.  Back towards Mt. Judah, the 12/2 rain crust was found between 220-240cm deep.

Photos #1 and #2:  Strong E winds transporting snow on Mt. Anderson, Needle and Lyon Peaks.

Photo #2:  Snow surface on exposed East aspect with sastrugi.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Strong
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
East
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: 

Cold wind chill on top with the strong east winds.