Light Snow Accumulations on Sierra Crest

Location Name: 
Anderson Ridge
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sun, 03/25/2012 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 17' 3.1452" N, 120° 19' 4.1952" 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: 

2-3'' of new snow.  Limited amounts of snow for transport but still moving snow on ridgelines.  Small windslabs developed throghout the day in the most exposed areas, 6-8'' deep, just below ridgelines.  These developing windslabs were small and not reactive, very small cracking, no slab propagation associated in this area.  Most areas were scoured or had a few inches of new snow on top of a well defined melt freeze crust.  This crust was 3-4'' thick and was ski and boot supportable in most areas.

Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

DonnerSummit2012-3-25 002.avi

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
West
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

All snow precip occuring before 9am, 2-3'' of new snow.  Winds varied throughout the day, in the moderate range on the ridges increasing to strong at midday and back to light after that.    Visibility was poor above 7800' in the morning and increased throughout the day.