Weaknesses in new snow on Andesite Peak

Location Name: 
Andesite Peak
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Tue, 03/08/2016 - 10:50
Location Map: 
United States
39° 21' 0.7992" N, 120° 21' 55.3464" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Educator at Donner Summit Avalanche Seminars
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Multiple planer breaks in the upper 30 cm of the snowpack revealed by CTs and shovel tilt tests.  The near 1 m of new snow over the past three days was warming, a little heavy, and very unsupportable (foot pen = 60 cm; ski pen = 30 cm). Small cornice above pit location was not especially fragile, wind pressing in the area minimal.  One 10 m^2 collapse initiated 500 vertical feet below in open trees.  No avalanches observed.  Started snowing lightly with increasing W winds about 1150.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Cooling
Wind Direction: 
West
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: