Rain on Andesite Peak

Location Name: 
Andesite Peak
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 12/08/2016 - 11:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 21' 4.572" N, 120° 21' 57.4308" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

3-4'' of rain soaked snow at the trailhead at 7200'.  Rain level was around 8000' by mid day.  Above 8000' there was 2'' of wet surface snow on top of much colder and dryer snow.  Total storm snow at 8000' was around 4-6'' which was on the low side for snow totals throughout the forecast area.  Very little signs of instability in this area today.  Limited cracking in wind loaded terrain and almost no loose wet activity observed.  Wet surface snow did not allow for any blowing snow. 

This area had been heavily wind scoured by the NE/E winds last week.  Many starting zones were previously scoured to rock with many anchors present and little to no cornice formation. 

Photo:  Rain runnels at 7500'.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
Mixed rain and snow
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour