Consistent Rain on Donner Summit

Location Name: 
Andesite Peak
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 02/13/2014 - 11:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 21' 3.3912" N, 120° 21' 59.2092" 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: 

Consistent rain/mist in the Castle Peak/Andesite Peak area today with times of moderate rainfall.  Above 7600' there was a ski supportive surface crust that was wet but allowed only up to 5cm of ski penetration.  Most of the snowpack is made up of wet grains and with skis off or with a ski pole you could push in almost to the ground.  The rain level today was much higher than the top of Andesite Peak, 8200'.  Just below the summit on an East aspect 8000', HS=135.  In the trees at 7600' on a north aspect, HS=165cm.  Travel was surprisingly descent on the ski supportive surface crust, below 7500' the snow became more punchy and sticky.  Winds were moderate on Andesite Ridge but no observed wind loading occuring with a wet saturated surface crust.  Ski kicks and ski cuts on steep rollovers showed no signs of any instability today.    

Photo#1:  Very minor loose wet small roller balls running down slope, north aspect, below treeline, 7600'.

Photo#2:  Ski kicks on small rollover with no results.  Surface crust very supportive to skis.

Photo#3:  Rain runnels at 7600' in open meadow

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
Rain
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: