Snowpit on Andesite Ridge

Location Name: 
Andesite Ridge
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sat, 01/14/2012 - 10:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 20' 57.768" N, 120° 21' 41.292" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

A fair bit a variability exists in the snowpack on N-NE-E aspects along the length of Andesite Ridge. Most areas hold weak facets below the surface rain crust while a minority of areas are much stronger with only limited faceting below the crust. The crust in most areas is supportable to the weight of a person on foot. Collapsing this crust is difficult when the crust in not cut into snowpit test size columns. Areas that receive at least an hour or two of sun undergo a small amount of melt at the surface. Areas with full shade during the late morning and afternoon hours hold some facets at the snow surface.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

20120114 Andesite Ridge 001.MOV

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: