Wet Snow, Refreezing Crusts, and Some Cold New Snow

Location Name: 
Andesite Ridge
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 11/17/2017 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 20' 39.0768" N, 120° 21' 19.5804" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

3 to 5 inches of soft cold snow existed on top of a freezing rain crust on all aspects of Andesite Ridge up to out high point around 7600 ft. The snow below the crust was wet/moist to the ground and ranged from 1 to almost 2 ft. in depth and was very supportable. Rain runnels still were visible on the snow surface. Probing, hand pits, and general observations did not reveal any signs of instability in the small area that we toured. Some cornices had formed along the leeward sides of the ridges. 

Overall "low tide" conditions still existed at the elevations we toured in (7000-7600 ft) and numerous rocks, stumps, logs, and trees were still either visible or barely covered. 

Photo: Rain runnels on the snow surface despite 3 to 5 inches of new snow after it stopped raining. 

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: