Donner Summit Snow Observations

Location Name: 
Mt. Judah
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sun, 03/04/2012 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 18' 21.222" N, 120° 18' 58.9428" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Rapid warming
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Solar aspects had 4-6'' of moist snow by mid morning on the surface.  Shaded NE-N-NW aspects had a 6-8'' layer of heavy dense snow on the surface with some very thin melt freeze crusts forming up to 8000'.  In some higher elevation exposed areas where the East winds scoured the snow surface there was a windbuff type snow that skied well.  In a test pit at 8000' on Mt. Judah, North aspect, 22 degree slope, the buried January crusts were easily found along with faceted grains between the crusts.  The recent storm snow has settled and consolidated into 1 cohesive 3' plus layer.  2 CT's produced no results.  PST 58/120 END down 120cm on the faceted layer between the 2 crust January combo.  The PST still indicates that propagation is likely on this layer if initiated.

Cornices are sagging over with large glide cracks on ridgelines.  Lots of roller ball activity and evidence of previous roller ball activity from the last 2 sunny warm days. 

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: 

Above freezing overnight lows with rapid warming throughout the day.  Light southwest winds slightly increasing into the afternoon.