New Snow and Wind on Andesite Peak

Location Name: 
Andesite Peak
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 04/07/2017 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 20' 56.3532" N, 120° 21' 58.05" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

New storm snow accumulations of 1' at trailhead at 7200' with up to 16'' above 8000' of dense new snow by 11am this morning.  S/SW winds were strong along the summit ridge moving heavy amounts of new snow with large built out cornices.  Very little evidence of storm slabs in below treeline terrain with localized minor cracking  New snow in wind loaded terrain was over 2' in wind deposited areas.  Ski cuts on small test slopes and cornice drops did not produce wind slab avalanches, although cracking and shooting cracks were common in wind loaded terrain.  It looks like it rained up to at least 8200' on Thursday before changing to snow with a very firm rain crust exposed in wind scoured areas.  The storm tapered during the mid day with minor new snow accumulation.

Snowpack photos: 
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: 
South
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: