Corn snow on Schallenberger Ridge

Location Name: 
Schellenberger Ridge
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 04/15/2011 - 13:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 18' 39.3876" N, 120° 15' 29.4012" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

In some spots on the northerly and easterly aspects between 6000 ft and 7200 ft., 1-2 inches of recent snow that had not fully transitioned to melt-freeze snow still remained. However, in most areas the recent snow had undergone enough melt and freezing to make the transition. Ski cuts on steep wind-loaded tests slopes in areas where the snow had not fully transitioned did produce some small inconsequential roller balls and sluffing. All other observations pointed to a mostly stable snowpack.

On the southerly aspects, the recent snow has made the transition to corn snow in this area. 1-2 inches of soft corn snow existed on top of a supportable base on these aspects below 7200 ft by 1 pm  in this area. Ski cuts on these aspects did not produce any signs of wet snow instability. 

A thick, strong and frozen melt freeze crust existed beneath the wet surface snow on all aspects.

Photo: Small sluff and accompanying roller balls on an ENE aspect at 7000 ft.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
Rain
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

LIght rain started to fall in this area at around 1 pm.